Fair cocoa pricing welcoming, but let’s keep politics out

 The government, through the Minister of Fi­nance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on Monday, August 4, announced a new cocoa producer price which saw the price per tonne increase from GH¢49,600 to GH¢51,660 for the 2025/2026 season.

This new price, which translates to GH¢3,228.75 per 64-kilo­gramme bag, represents 70 per cent of the gross Free-On-Board (FOB) value and signals a de­liberate effort to fulfil President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge to ensure cocoa farmers receive a fairer share of proceeds from the international market.

The announcement has reig­nited conversation around cocoa pricing and its benefits to farmers operating within the cocoa eco­system.

While some have hailed the government’s decision, others ar­gue that cocoa farmers have been shortchanged, especially given the promises made prior to the 2024 general election.

We at The Ghanaian Times view the increment not merely as a pricing adjustment, but as a significant economic and social intervention.

For decades, cocoa farmers, who form the backbone of Gha­na’s agricultural economy, have decried the low returns on their hard labour.

As such, it is reassuring that the government has responded with a pricing policy that reflects interna­tional market trends.

We note with satisfaction that while the FOB value for the 2025/2026 season has been set at US$7,200 per tonne, the govern­ment has ensured that farmers will receive 70 per cent of that amount, compared to the previous 63.9 per cent.

Even more significantly, it was revealed that government had effectively subsidised farmers by GH¢1,114 per bag since the second quarter of 2025 to counter the effects of currency appreci­ation.

For us, these are practical, farmer-centred policies. Equally laudable is the reintroduction of the free cocoa fertiliser pro­gramme, alongside the distribution of insecticides, spraying machines, fungicides and flower inducers.

Such interventions are vital not only to boost yields but also to maintain Ghana’s global competitiveness as a major cocoa producer.

With a national target of pro­ducing 600,000 tonnes of cocoa for the season, the provision of these inputs is timely and strategic.

However, we wish to caution that the effectiveness of these in­puts will depend heavily on proper distribution and usage.

The warning by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, against the smuggling of inputs must be taken seriously. There have been several reports in the past about government-supplied farm inputs ending up in neigh­bouring countries.

COCOBOD and the relevant security agencies must enhance monitoring and enforcement to prevent abuse of this well-inten­tioned programme.

Of equal importance is the announced Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme for the chil­dren of cocoa farmers. This social intervention reflects a deeper understanding of the structural poverty that often entraps farming families.

By investing in education, the government is not only providing immediate economic relief but also enabling future generations to break the cycle of poverty. As we eagerly await the modalities for its implementation from COCO­BOD, we urge that it be executed transparently and equitably.

The move to streamline its op­erations and deliver targeted sup­port to farmers is long overdue. The successful implementation of this will depend on accountability, efficiency, and a firm commitment to reforms.

Furthermore, the introduction of the Cocoa Traceability System to ensure compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulations is a forward-looking step.

The Ghanaian Times applauds the multifaceted approach being adopted by the government in enhancing the welfare of cocoa farmers and believes that the increase in the producer price, the input support programme, the educational scholarship initiative, and the digitisation of cocoa tracking are all bold and com­mendable steps.

However, we are equally con­cerned over the undue politicisa­tion of a number of important national policies, of which cocoa pricing is a key feature. Every gov­ernment since the colonial era has come under a barrage of attacks and criticism from opposition elements over cocoa pricing.

Prior to the 2024 general elections, we witnessed how cocoa pricing became a key campaign subject, and how the recent incre­ment has already sparked another cycle of politicisation.

We are more than worried that such an important national economic mainstay will always be reduced to political footballing and urge all stakeholders within the cocoa ecosystem to put the in­terest of the sector and the nation above all other considerations.

While we appeal for an end to the undue politicisation of cocoa pricing henceforth, we also urge the government to remain consistent and transparent in implementing the initiatives as announced by the Minister of Finance.

We believe that it is only when our cocoa farmers are empowered, fairly rewarded, and protected that the nation can fully benefit from the fruits of their labour.