The Minority Caucus in Parliament is urging the government to increase the producer price of cocoa to at least GH¢7,400 per bag, given the significant surge in world market prices.
With the world market price exceeding $11,000 per ton, the government had promised to pay farmers 70% of this price. However, the current producer price is deemed inadequate, and the Caucus is demanding an immediate review.
They’re also expressing disappointment that the government hasn’t fulfilled its campaign promise to pay cocoa farmers 70% of the world market price, which has caused anxiety among farmers.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture had announced that the government would offer cocoa farmers 70% of the world market price, but the Caucus notes that this isn’t the first time this promise has been made.
If the government fails to increase the producer price, it could undermine the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and go against President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to fair compensation for Ghanaian cocoa farmers.
