Ranking Member of Parliament’s Food and Cocoa Affairs Committee, Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, has cautioned that cocoa farmers should not be made to bear the brunt of any reduction in producer prices as the government implements emergency reforms in the sector.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Wednesday, Dr Opoku said that while the government is expected to present a new financial model for cocoa purchases, any move to reduce the guaranteed price for farmers would be unfair and unacceptable.
According to Dr Opoku, cocoa farmers in Ghana have historically not received the full benefits of their produce, with payments sometimes as low as 40% of what they are owed, and at most only 70%.
“Today, the international price is low and you want to reduce the guaranteed price… this has never happened in the history of this country,” he said, adding that the President should not contemplate such reductions.
Dr Opoku noted that while some farmers have expressed concerns about potential reductions, no official information has been released yet. He urged patience until the government’s presentation scheduled for Thursday morning.
“We haven’t heard from official sources, so let’s wait until we see the details tomorrow. But a reduction of the current producer price is not something that should be considered,” he said.
His comments follow the government’s approval of emergency measures aimed at expediting payments to cocoa farmers across the country. The Cabinet meeting on Tuesday addressed the ongoing liquidity crisis in the sector, where COCOBOD owes Licensed Buying Companies over GH¢10 billion in outstanding payments for cocoa deliveries since November 2025.
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced that the Cabinet has endorsed what he described as “the most far-reaching reforms in the history of the cocoa sector,” intended to shift Ghana’s focus from exporting raw cocoa beans to value-added production.
Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is expected to address the nation on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., outlining the detailed implementation plan and financial framework for the reforms.
Dr Opoku emphasised that the government must prioritise the welfare of farmers, whose work sustains Ghana’s cocoa industry and contributes significantly to the national economy.
“The cocoa farmer has looked after this country for decades… any reduction of the guaranteed price will not be accepted,” he said.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com