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Minority Questions Missing Cocoa Gains Amid Broken Promises

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Dr. Isaac Opoku speaks on cocoa pricing and campaign promises

Despite campaign promises of prosperity, cocoa farmers are still waiting for the financial relief they were assured, while watching the government serve up a list of excuses instead. That was the strong message from Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, in a statement delivered on July 29.

Dr. Opoku, who is also the MP for Offinso South, questioned how cocoa revenues, “reportedly over $3 billion” for the 2024/25 season, have failed to translate into improved farm gate prices. “The government has told Ghanaians how much COCOBOD is owing. Can the same government also tell Ghanaians how much revenue cocoa sales have generated so far? Is the amount over $3 billion, as we are hearing? Ghanaians need to know,” he stated.

Currently, the price per bag remains at GH¢3,100, unchanged seven months into the new administration. This contradicts the NDC’s 2024 campaign pledge to increase the price to at least GH¢6,000 per bag, equivalent to 70% of the world market price.

“Ghanaians have been asking whether the numerous campaign promises to pay cocoa farmers GH¢6,000 per bag were mere propaganda or lies just to win votes?” Dr. Opoku said. He accused the government of offering a cycle of justifications rather than action, dubbing the trend “One Month, One Excuse! Producer Price Baako, Excuses Bebree.”

The MP listed excuses, including COCOBOD’s debts, rollover contracts, missing jute sacks, swollen shoot virus expenses, and infrastructure costs, branding the government’s handling of the situation as “dishonest and worrying.” He alleged that COCOBOD officials are now covertly trying to persuade farmers to accept a low price for the 2025/26 season.

“Is it not shocking to hear that COCOBOD staff are now clandestinely going round in an attempt to win undeserving sympathy from cocoa farmers to accept a potentially ridiculous price for the upcoming season and to cover up their failed campaign promises?” he asked.

Recalling earlier statements from the President and COCOBOD CEO, Dr. Opoku noted that farmers were promised they would be “very very happy” with the upcoming price. Now, as the new season looms, he insists farmers deserve not only the GH¢6,000 per bag they were promised but also GH¢2,900 per bag in arrears for the January–July period.

“The time to honour their promises is long overdue. We urge the government to pay the GH¢6,000/bag they constantly promised cocoa farmers, as well as all arrears due to farmers now,” he concluded.

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