Inusah Fuseini Defends NDC on Cocoa Pricing: Farmers Better Off Than Under NPP, Blames Previous Administration for Sector Woes
Former Tamale Central Member of Parliament Inusah Fuseini has robustly defended the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government against criticisms over cocoa producer pricing, asserting that Ghanaian cocoa farmers are in a far stronger position today than during the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Mr. Fuseini rejected NPP claims that the current government’s challenges in meeting earlier price expectations stem from inherent sector issues. Instead, he attributed the difficulties to years of alleged mismanagement under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, which he said left the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in a weakened state.
“Politics played a significant role in the situation, citing the period when COCOBOD was placed under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture,” Mr. Fuseini argued, describing such decisions as detrimental to the sector’s autonomy and efficiency.
He highlighted the recent appreciation of the cedi as a key factor benefiting farmers under the NDC: “Cocoa farmers are far better off today under the ruling NDC government than under the opposition NPP due to the cedi appreciation adding value to the cocoa price.”
Addressing the ongoing debate over unfulfilled campaign promises on cocoa pricing, Mr. Fuseini explained that pledges are inherently conditional. “A promise is a state of intent based on existing facts. The economist will say all things being equal,” he told host Moro Awudu, suggesting that shifting economic realities—such as global market volatility and inherited challenges—must be factored in.
The comments come amid fresh announcements on cocoa pricing for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season. In a statement issued to the Ghana News Agency, authorities confirmed a revised producer price of GH¢41,392.00 per tonne, effective from Friday, February 13, 2026. This applies to all cocoa purchases nationwide for the rest of the crop year.
Under the new structure:
Farmers will receive GH¢1,241.76 per load of 30 kilogrammes of Grade One and Two cocoa beans at buying centres.
A 64-kilogramme bag (gross) is now priced at GH¢2,587.00.
A tonne (comprising 16 bags) attracts GH¢41,392.00.
The revision follows a previous cut from GH¢48,000 to GH¢33,120 per tonne earlier in the season, amid global price fluctuations and COCOBOD’s financial constraints. The NDC government has maintained that these adjustments are necessary for sector sustainability, while opposition figures and farmer groups have called for bailouts or price reversals.
Mr. Fuseini’s defence aligns with broader NDC narratives framing the cocoa crisis as an inherited problem, exacerbated by NPP-era policies. The sector, a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy supporting nearly one million farmers, continues to face challenges from smuggling, climate impacts, and debt burdens at COCOBOD.
