The Minority Caucus on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs has strongly criticised the government over what it describes as an “insultingly low” cocoa farm gate price announced for the 2025/2026 cocoa season

At a press conference on Monday, the Ranking Member of the Committee, Isaac Yaw Opoku, expressed disappointment at the new farm gate price of GH₵3,228.75 per 64-kilogram bag, representing only a 4.2% increase from the previous season’s GH₵3,100.00.

He described the increment as a betrayal of Ghana’s cocoa farmers, calling it a “Sakawa price” that falls far short of expectations, especially considering the current high international market prices.

“This is a slap in the face of farmers who have sustained the economy for decades,” he stated.

The Minority also reminded the public of campaign pledges made by top NDC figures — now ministers —  Eric Opoku and Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who promised cocoa farmers GH₵6,000 and GH₵7,000 per bag, respectively, if their party won power.

The Minority Caucus questioned why those promises had not materialised and described the current pricing as a far cry from what was pledged.

The opposition questioned the rationale behind the government's pricing model, especially in light of claims by the COCOBOD Chief Executive that Ghana’s farm gate price would exceed what Ivorian farmers currently receive.

Available data, however, indicates that farmers in Côte d’Ivoire are paid approximately GH₵3,635 per bag — nearly GH₵407 more than Ghanaian farmers — further fueling concerns about smuggling and cross-border trading.

The Minority also raised concerns about the government’s failure to deliver on President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to pay cocoa farmers 70% of the Free on Board (FOB) price.

With global cocoa prices reaching as high as $12,000 per metric ton, they argue that Ghanaian farmers should be receiving at least GH₵3,718 per bag, not the GH₵3,228.75 announced.

They demanded full transparency on cocoa revenue from the 2024/25 season and accountability for transfers and grants received since the start of 2025.

The government was also accused of repackaging essential farm inputs such as fertilisers and insecticides as “free,” when in reality, the cost is deducted from the FOB price, further shortchanging farmers.

According to the Minority, many cocoa farmers feel deceived and demoralised by the new pricing structure, with some already considering abandoning cocoa cultivation in favour of illegal mining due to the poor returns on their labour.

They urged the government to urgently review the announced price, deliver on its promises, and implement a pricing policy that truly reflects the value and contribution of Ghana’s cocoa farmers to the national economy.

“The sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa industry is at stake,” the statement concluded.

“We must act now to restore dignity, fairness, and hope to our farmers.”