By Celestine Avi
President John Dramani Mahama has assured cocoa farmers that a new and significantly improved cocoa producer price will be announced in August as part of efforts to revamp the country’s cocoa sector.
Addressing chiefs and people during his “Thank You” Visit at Goaso in the Ahafo Region, the President hinted the Ghana Cocoa Board is set to announce the new price in August, which he believes will greatly benefit farmers.
“To cocoa farmers, the Cocoa Board Chief Executive has informed me that in August, they will announce the new cocoa producer price, and I can assure you the price is going to be a very, very, very good price,” President Mahama stated.
“So those of you who don’t have cocoa farms, go and start looking for land and start planting cocoa.”
He disclosed that incentives will be provided to cocoa farmers to help boost production, with a target to add 200,000 hectares of cocoa farms to Ghana’s current output.
“We aim to add 200,000 hectares of cocoa to Ghana’s outputs in order to increase the income of our farmers,” Pres. Mahama said, emphasizing the importance of revitalizing the collapsed cocoa sector.
Agricultural Transformation Through Feed Ghana
President Mahama also highlighted the Feed Ghana Programme, which seeks to transform the country’s agricultural landscape into a modern, export-driven sector.
“Ahafo has fertile lands, and therefore positions it as a key player in our Feed Ghana Programme, which seeks to transform Ghana’s agriculture into a robust, modern, and export-driven sector,” he said.
He outlined a comprehensive package for farmers under the programme, including input subsidies, mechanization support, and access to extension services.
“And so through this initiative, farmers will receive targeted input subsidies, mechanization support, and extension services. Warehouses and irrigation infrastructure will also be improved, and young entrepreneurs will be supported in agro-processing through access to financing and training,” he added.
President Mahama emphasized that agricultural self-sufficiency is a national priority:
“Let me emphasize that food sovereignty is national security, and together, we will make Ghana self-sufficient in food production.”
The Goaso engagement marked the end of his three-day “Thank You” Visit across the Bono East, Bono, and Ahafo Regions.
