Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, has warned the government against reducing cocoa prices any further, threatening a naked protest with the minority caucus if such a move is made.
Speaking to cocoa farmers at Kunsu in the Ahafo Ano South West District, the Offinso South MP said the first-ever price cut in Ghana’s cocoa history should not be treated as a sign of farmers’ weakness.
“Because we are quite over the first-ever in Ghana’s history price cut of the cocoa, they think we are toothless, so they are planning to reduce it further,” Dr Yaw Opoku said. “I will strip naked and, together with the minority, protest in ‘adagya mu’ and march to the Presidency to demand what is best for the farmers.”
The statement comes amid a five-day tour by the minority caucus in the Ashanti Region, where lawmakers are engaging directly with cocoa farmers over pricing concerns and policy issues.
Dr Yaw Opoku criticised the government’s justification for the initial price cut, particularly claims that the appreciation of the cedi warranted the reduction. He pointed out that Ghana earned about $3.9 billion USD in cocoa revenue in 2025, which, converted at the current exchange rate, amounts to roughly GH₵39 billion.
“They continue to claim that the value of the dollar has decreased. However, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana states that the government generated revenue of $3.9 billion USD from cocoa sales… If the government has access to such a substantial amount, yet remains indebted to cocoa farmers to the tune of 11 billion cedis, the question arises as to why payment cannot be made,” he said.
The MP also reminded the NDC administration of unfulfilled campaign promises to cocoa farmers, including a cocoa pension scheme and the “one cocoa farm, one polytank” initiative, which he said have yet to materialise.
The warning from the minority caucus adds to ongoing tensions in Ghana’s cocoa sector, where farmers have expressed concern over pricing policies, delayed payments, and support initiatives.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com