Ghanaian cocoa farmers are once again pressing the government to honour its constitutional obligation by ensuring they receive at least 70% of the Free-On-Board (FOB) price of cocoa.
The renewed advocacy comes in the wake of President John Dramani Mahama’s recent announcement that a new and significantly improved cocoa producer price will be revealed in August 2025.
For years, cocoa producers have lamented the discrepancy between their earnings and the actual value of Ghana’s cocoa exports. With Ghana being the second-largest cocoa producer globally, stakeholders argue that fair compensation to farmers is not only a moral imperative but an economic necessity.
While President Mahama’s pledge during his Thank You tour in the Ahafo Region has been met with cautious optimism, farmers remain skeptical. They worry that past promises have not always materialized into policies that truly benefit them.
Stephenson Anane Boateng, President of the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association, welcomed the president’s intention but reminded authorities that the Constitution already provides a clear framework for fair pricing.
“Cocoa farmers, we are also Ghanaians, and the work we do also has an impact on the country’s economy. The constitution states it clearly that the FOB price should be considered 70 percent for farmers, so why do successive governments come out with their own projections or proposals?”
Stephenson Anane Boateng
His comments underline the long-standing frustration among cocoa farmers who feel their crucial role in the economy is consistently undervalued.
Impact of Fair Pricing on Livelihoods
The price that Ghanaian cocoa farmers receive significantly influences rural livelihoods, the sustainability of cocoa farming, and future investments in the sector. Many cocoa-growing families rely entirely on seasonal earnings from cocoa, and inadequate pricing can lead to poverty, child labour, and the migration of young people from farming communities.
A guaranteed 70% of the FOB price would not only reflect the true value of their labour but also encourage reinvestment in farming practices, technology adoption, and environmental sustainability. It would further strengthen Ghana’s cocoa sector against future shocks and preserve its international competitiveness.
In addition to price concerns, cocoa farmers are raising alarms over proposed government-led commercial cocoa farming initiatives. Boateng cautioned that while industrial-scale cocoa farming may appear attractive on the surface, it could undermine the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers if not thoughtfully implemented.
“I don’t see the essence of government proposing for commercial cocoa farms. This is because our first leader Dr. Kwame Nkrumah established a lot of factories and State Farms—where are they now?”
Stephenson Anane Boateng
According to him, such initiatives must be approached with a clear long-term vision that integrates existing farmers and ensures equitable growth across the sector. Without proper planning and consultation, there’s a risk that commercial ventures could monopolize land and resources, effectively sidelining the traditional custodians of Ghana’s cocoa legacy.
The previous administration under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) raised the cocoa producer price from GH₵48,000 to GH₵49,600 per tonne in November 2024. This represented a marginal increase in the price per 64kg bag from GH₵3,000 to GH₵3,100.
While any increase in price is generally welcomed, farmers argue that such adjustments remain far below what is required for them to thrive. Incremental rises without a clear link to the global FOB price fall short of the constitutional benchmark and fail to address systemic issues in cocoa pricing.
As global cocoa prices surge and Ghana continues to be a pivotal player in the market, it is important that the farmers who cultivate this golden crop are not left behind.
For Ghana to retain its place as a global cocoa giant, it must protect the interests of its farmers, ensure equitable policy frameworks, and commit to long-term investments that truly empower those at the heart of the industry.
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