Minority Slams Government Over “Sakawa” Cocoa Price, Accuses Leaders of Betraying Farmers

The Minority Caucus Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs has launched a scathing attack on the government following the announcement of the producer price of cocoa for the 2025/2026 season, describing it as a “stab in the back” of hardworking Ghanaian cocoa farmers.

In a press conference held this morning, members of the Minority expressed outrage over what they called a “ridiculously low” farm gate price of GH¢1,228.75 per 64kg bag, recently announced by the government. The new price represents a mere 4.2% increase over the current price of GH¢1,180.00, a move the Minority described as deeply disappointing and unfair to cocoa farmers.

“Our hardworking farmers deserve better than this ‘Sakawa’ price,” the Minority fumed.

Unfulfilled Promises and Broken Trust

The Minority did not hold back in pointing fingers at government leaders, particularly Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Eric Opoku, and Finance Minister Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, both of whom had made bold promises to cocoa farmers during the 2024 election campaign.

According to the Minority, Dr. Opoku had consistently promised farmers a GH¢6,000 per bag price during rallies across cocoa-growing regions like Ahafo. Similarly, Dr. Forson pledged to offer farmers GH¢7,000 per bag if the NDC was elected.

“What happened to these numerous promises by Hon. Eric Opoku and Hon. Ato Forson?” the Minority questioned.

They described the newly announced price as a betrayal of these campaign commitments and a reflection of the government’s disregard for the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.

Ivorian Farmers Better Off

The Minority also highlighted regional disparities, pointing out that cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire are receiving the equivalent of GH¢3,635 per 64kg bag—a staggering GH¢407 more per bag than their Ghanaian counterparts, based on current exchange rates.

They warned that such a pricing gap could trigger massive smuggling of cocoa beans across Ghana’s borders, particularly in key cocoa-producing regions such as Western South, Western North, Bono, Ahafo, and Volta.

“This stark difference presents an irresistible incentive for smugglers to divert Ghanaian cocoa across the border,” they stated.

Questions for COCOBOD and the President

The Minority further challenged the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD to clarify his earlier promise that the 2025/26 cocoa price would exceed what was being paid in Côte d’Ivoire. They asked whether the GH¢1,228.75 price aligns with that commitment.

They also demanded answers from President John Mahama, who, during his “thank you” tour across the Bono and Western North Regions, pledged to ensure cocoa farmers receive 70% of the Free On Board (FOB) price.

“What happened to that promise?” they asked, noting that the current price falls far short of that benchmark.

Call for Immediate Review

Concluding their remarks, the Minority called on the government to urgently review the cocoa producer price and demonstrate a sincere commitment to the welfare of Ghana’s cocoa farmers.

They warned that failure to act could lead not only to increased smuggling and loss of revenue but also long-term damage to the morale and productivity of Ghana’s cocoa sector—one of the nation’s economic backbones.