The government on Saturday announced a new cocoa price at the opening of the 2023/2024 cocoa season, with a bag of cocoa now increased from GH¢800.00 to GH¢1,308.00 per bag.
The new price has shot up the price per tonne from GH¢12,800.00 to GH¢ 20,943.00 representing 63.5 per cent increment of the previous one.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, made the announcement at Tepa on Saturday.
It was quite a scene as cocoa farmers thronged the front of the podium with thunderous cheers to greet the new price.
According to the President, the new price was the highest in the sub region in the last 15 years and was meant to improve the livelihoods of the farmers and for a fair and remunerative price for their efforts.
The President commended Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for initiating policies and programmes that were increasing crop yield.
He said the implementation of the Cocoa Marketing Systems (CMS) by COCOBOD had ensured that the industry had data on cocoa farmers and details of their farm size.
The President noted that other initiatives and incentives including fertiliser supply and modern technology planting systems had enhanced crop production and yields.
“I am encouraged that the Ministry of Agriculture and the COCOBOD are committed to using innovation, impactful measures and good pricing to encourage farmers in the cocoa production sector,” the President stated.
Dr Byran Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, also praised COCOBOD for showing commitment to making the cocoa production sector a lucrative one.
He however, stated that the pressing danger was illegal mining where large tracts of farm lands of cocoa were being destroyed due to the operations of the illegal miners.
The minister also revealed that some unscrupulous persons were heavily engaged in the smuggling of the beans to neighbouring countries, but noted that he was personally committed to halting the menace.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, thanked the President for showing commitment to the cause of COCOBOD and farmers.
He noted that apart from the yearly increment in prices of cocoa beans and other incentives for farmers, the President had also supported COCOBOD in implementing measures to improve cocoa production.
“Our pruning and pollination methods are ensuring high yields and currently some trees in the Western and Western North regions were producing between 1,800 and 2000 pods per season,” the CEO noted.
The Paramount Chief of Tepa, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem, who chaired the ceremony, commended the President for showing support to the cocoa industry.
Incentives and measures in the industry by the President, the chief stated, had yielded positive outcomes but pleaded that roads in Tepa, especially those within cocoa growing areas were made accessible for farm operations.
Representative of the Asantehene, the Paramount Chief Esumegya, Odeneho Nana Okyere Kusi, conveyed the appreciation of the Asantehene to the President for his dedication to the welfare and safety of farmers across Ghana.
FROM KINGSLEY E.
HOPE, TEPA