Stop the Excuses and Be Honest About Cocoa Prices – John Boadu to NDC

Former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has criticised the government over the newly announced cocoa producer price for the 2025/2026 crop season, calling it unjustifiable and disappointing.

Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam programme, Mr Boadu dismissed the GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag price as inadequate and far below the expectations of cocoa farmers.

“Before coming to power, they [NDC] estimated 70% of the Free-on-Board (FOB) price to be around GH₵6,000 to GH₵7,000. If the NPP had paid that amount, would the NDC reduce it now that the cedi has appreciated?” he queried.

Mr Boadu also questioned the logic behind current economic arguments, particularly the claim that the appreciation of the Ghana cedi improves farmers’ purchasing power.

“When the cedi gains strength, it’s importers who benefit — not exporters or cocoa farmers. They are actually the worst hit,” he argued.

He warned that the current pricing regime may push many disillusioned farmers to abandon cocoa cultivation and instead lease their lands to illegal miners, worsening the country’s galamsey crisis.

“The farmers are disappointed and sad. Many may be forced to sell their land for illegal mining because the current prices are not favourable,” he said.

Calling for a more sincere national conversation, Mr Boadu urged the government to end the blame game and instead pursue honest, well-informed discussions about cocoa pricing and farmer welfare.

“Let’s stop the ignorance and dishonesty. The cocoa sector is too important to be reduced to propaganda,” he concluded.

The government recently announced a new producer price of $5,040 per tonne, or GH₵3,228.75 per 64kg bag, for the 2025/2026 season. While the administration has defended it as a 62.58% increase over the previous price, critics say it falls short when adjusted for inflation and production costs.