- Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin, a leading economist and finance professor at the University of Ghana Business School, has criticized both the NPP and NDC for decades of poor management of Ghana’s cocoa sector.
- Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, he argued that politically driven pricing and lack of investment have left farmers vulnerable and the industry weakened.
- He called for a bipartisan overhaul of the sector, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and a renewed focus on treating farmers as key stakeholders.
Ghana’s cocoa sector is under fire — and this time, the criticism isn’t coming from farmers or activists, but from one of the country’s top economists.
Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin, a respected voice in finance and public policy, has taken aim at both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing successive governments of mismanaging one of Ghana’s most vital industries. His comments, made during a panel discussion on JoyNews’ Newsfile, were direct and unapologetic.
According to Bokpin, the recent uproar over cocoa producer pricing is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath it lies a deeper, systemic failure — one marked by short-term thinking, political interference, and a pricing model that leaves farmers underpaid and undervalued.
Once the pride of Ghana’s economy, the cocoa sector has struggled to maintain its footing amid global competition and internal neglect. Bokpin pointed to a lack of strategic investment, poor transparency, and broken promises that have eroded trust and weakened the industry’s foundation.
He didn’t mince words: both major political parties owe Ghanaians — and especially cocoa farmers — an apology. But more than that, he called for action. Bokpin urged leaders to come together across party lines to rebuild the sector with a new vision, one that prioritizes farmers as central stakeholders and not just passive recipients of policy.
His remarks come at a time when global analysts, including Fitch Solutions, have warned that rising cocoa prices may not translate into real benefits for Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Meanwhile, former President Mahama has called on Japan to help revamp Ghana’s cocoa processing infrastructure — a move that signals growing concern over the sector’s future.
For Bokpin, the message is clear: Ghana cannot afford to treat its cocoa industry as a political football. It needs reform, respect, and a roadmap that puts farmers first.
