Ghanaian cocoa farmers are stepping up pressure on the government to guarantee them at least 70 percent of the Free-On-Board (FOB) price of cocoa, insisting that anything less fails to reflect their true contribution to the global value chain.
The renewed demand follows a promise made by former President John Dramani Mahama during his “Thank You” tour of the Ahafo Region last Saturday. He announced that a new, significantly improved cocoa producer price would be announced in August 2025.
While cautiously welcoming the announcement, cocoa farmers say they are looking for more than promises.
“Cocoa farmers are also Ghanaians, and the work we do significantly impacts the national economy,” said Stephenson Anane Boateng, President of the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association.
“The constitution clearly states that farmers should receive 70 percent of the FOB price. So why do successive governments continue to set arbitrary figures?”
Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, with smallholder farmers forming the backbone of the industry. The producer price they receive plays a critical role in rural incomes and the long-term sustainability of cocoa farming.
Anane Boateng also expressed concern over the government’s increasing interest in large-scale commercial cocoa plantations, warning that such moves could marginalize smallholders and destabilize the sector if not carefully managed.
“I don’t see the relevance of government pushing for commercial cocoa farms. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah established several state farms and factories in his time, where are they now?,” he quizzed.
In November 2024, the previous administration raised the cocoa producer price from GH₵48,000 to GH₵49,600 per tonne, increasing the price per 64kg bag from GH₵3,000 to GH₵3,100.
However, many farmers argue that the adjustment still falls short of the 70% threshold they consider fair and constitutionally mandated.
