BY VALENTIA TETTEH
The Minority in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Randy Abbey, citing what it describes as a deepening crisis in the cocoa sector.
According to the Minority, the recent reduction in the cocoa producer price could have serious implications for farmers and their families. The caucus estimates that the approximately 28.6 percent reduction will adversely affect the livelihoods of more than one million cocoa farmers across the country.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament on Thursday, February 12, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, criticised the government’s decision.
“This place an unfair burden on our cocoa farmers, who are already struggling with rising costs. The Minority will not remain silent on this matter, and we are prepared to support farmers should they decide to protest against the reduction in the producer price,” he said.
The comments follow the government’s announcement of a new cocoa producer price of GH¢41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH¢2,587 per bag, for the remainder of the 2025–2026 crop season, effective Thursday, February 12.
Earlier, the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, explained that the adjustment was necessary due to developments in global cocoa market conditions. He stated that the measure is intended to stabilise the sector, restore confidence, and ensure timely payments to farmers.
The revised price represents a reduction from the initial rate of GH¢51,660 per tonne, which was set at the beginning of the season.
