The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has pushed back against claims that Ghanaian cocoa farmers are worse off than their Ivorian counterparts, insisting that official data shows Ghana currently pays the highest farmgate price in West Africa.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, August 20, COCOBOD said figures from its Commodity Analysis Team prove that “on every key metric, Ghanaian farmers are earning more.”
According to the Board, Ghana’s producer price stands at ₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag, equivalent to ₵51,660 per tonne or US$5,040 per metric tonne (MT). In Côte d’Ivoire, the comparable price is ₵2,553.38 per bag, or ₵40,854 per tonne (US$3,886/MT).
This translates into Ghanaian farmers earning ₵675.38 (US$64.16) more per bag and ₵10,806 (US$1,154) more per tonne than their Ivorian peers.
“This is not a matter of interpretation it is a matter of fact,” COCOBOD declared. “On every key metric, Ghanaian farmers are earning more.”
Price Breakdown
Per Kilogramme: Ghana – ₵51.65 (US$5.04) | Côte d’Ivoire – ₵40.85 (US$3.89)
Per 64kg Bag: Ghana – US$315 | Côte d’Ivoire – US$227
Per Tonne: Ghana – US$5,040 | Côte d’Ivoire – US$3,886
COCOBOD stressed that narratives suggesting parity or disadvantage for Ghanaian farmers are “factually inaccurate and misleading.”Beyond the comparisons, the regulator highlighted that Ghana’s pricing strategy shields farmers from currency shocks and helps curb cross-border smuggling, a persistent challenge in the sector.
“This pricing policy reflects COCOBOD’s unwavering commitment to ensuring fair and rewarding returns for farmers’ hard work,” the statement read.
The Board also underscored Ghana’s long-standing reputation as a global leader in quality cocoa, insisting that the combination of premium prices and internationally benchmarked quality continues to secure the livelihoods of Ghanaian farmers.
“Ghana’s cocoa remains the global benchmark for quality, and now, backed by the highest farmgate price in West Africa, it also guarantees better livelihoods for our farmers,” COCOBOD stated.
Analysts say the announcement comes at a critical time when smuggling risks and farmer discontent have been rising amid calls for higher producer prices. By publicly defending its pricing policy with data-driven comparisons, COCOBOD appears keen to restore confidence among farmers and reinforce Ghana’s leadership in the global cocoa market.
