The Volta and Oti Regional Chief Cocoa Farmer, Nana Kwame Abass, has called for calm among cocoa farmers following concerns about the newly announced producer price, stressing that farmers have not been shortchanged.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Nana Abass addressed claims that government had failed to honour a GH₵6,000 per bag campaign promise, saying he was unaware of any such pledge.
“I didn’t hear that promise, and I’m only hearing it this morning. It is politricks. It was mere political talk. It is not everything these politicians say that they do,” he said.
His comments come after the government announced a 62.58% increase in the producer price for the 2025/2026 cocoa season—from US$3,100 to US$5,040 per tonne.
In cedi terms, the price moves from GH₵49,600 to GH₵51,660 per tonne, and GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag.
Nana Abass said the dissatisfaction among some farmers may be due to the depreciation of the cedi, not the actual value of the price increase.
“I cannot admit that they have shortchanged us. It is just because of the dollar rate, so they have not cheated us in any way,” he noted.
He also emphasised that political promises often raise unrealistic expectations.
“If it was Ato Forson who said it, I didn’t know. But we must be clear that everything cannot be 100%. The only good thing is that we export cocoa, but that cannot be our only source,” he added.
The chief farmer urged diversification of agriculture, calling for more support for millet, cassava, and rice cultivation alongside cocoa.
“My people voted for me, but I cannot impress on the government to fulfil our demands. We can only continue to work hard and hope for the best,” he said.
Nana Abass insisted the current cocoa price was fair, despite political rhetoric.
“I didn’t hear the NDC in opposition promise 6,000 per bag, but we should know that it is political talk. It is not all the things they say that they do for the citizens,” he concluded.
Source: Gertrude Otchere
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