The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has called on the government to restore what he describes as the promised cocoa price of GH₵3,625 per bag.
He warned that cocoa farmers are threatening to stage demonstrations over the newly announced rates.
His comments come after the government’s new producer price at GH₵41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH₵2,587 per bag, effective immediately.
Addressing the press on Thursday, February 12, Mr Oppong Nkrumah criticised the government’s handling of the recent cocoa producer price review, arguing that farmers are being short-changed at a time when they require greater protection.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah stated that previous administrations had shielded cocoa farmers from the full impact of falling global prices by absorbing market shocks.
“We are asking the government that in previous governments, when cocoa prices fell and the government absorbed the shock and protected the cocoa farmer, the NDC government should absorb the cost of what they have done and restore at least the 3,625 that they promised,” he said.
According to him, the newly announced figure of “2,800 or so” per bag is “totally unacceptable” and falls short of earlier assurances given to farmers.
The government recently announced a revised producer price for cocoa for the remainder of the 2025–2026 crop season, citing declines in world market prices.
However, the opposition maintains that the adjustment does not adequately reflect prior commitments made to cocoa farmers.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah further revealed that cocoa farmers have begun expressing dissatisfaction with the new pricing arrangement.
“Already we are receiving messages from cocoa farmers who say that if this is what is going to happen, we are going to demonstrate in a number of days,” he disclosed.
He added that should farmers proceed with protest action, members of the caucus would join them in solidarity.
“And if they do, we in this caucus, we are going to join to do this demonstration,” he warned.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com