The Minority in Parliament is demanding that the government increase the producer price of cocoa to at least GHS 3,800 per bag, urging authorities to honour earlier promises made to cocoa farmers.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament, the Ranking Member on the Committee on Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, Dr. Isaac Opoku, criticised the government for citing exchange rate fluctuations as justification for the lower-than-expected price hike.
He argued that such reasoning is “untenable,” adding that current market conditions favour a higher price.
“The prevailing market realities do not support anything less than GHS 3,800,” Dr. Opoku said.
The Minority also accused the government of reneging on its earlier promise to pay cocoa farmers a minimum of GHS 6,000 per bag, and criticised the administration for using “figures and lamentations” to justify low producer prices.
Describing the recently announced cocoa price increment as “sakawa,” a term used to imply deception, the Minority called on farmers to protect their interests and resist being shortchanged.
Responding to the government’s pledge to provide free inputs and fertilisers, the Minority said such interventions are not new and should not be used as justification for low prices.
They stressed that it was time for the government to go beyond promises and deliver real value that reflects the sacrifices and contributions of cocoa farmers to Ghana’s economy.
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