Cocoa farmers across Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, have expressed profound appreciation to the Ghana Cocoa Board and the government for what they describe as a bold and unprecedented intervention in the cocoa sector. They lauded the government for raising the producer price to 70 per cent of the world market rate.
At a high-level meeting in Kumasi attended by National Executives of Farmers and district representatives on Tuesday, the National Chief Farmer, Alhaji Alhasan Bukari, emphasised that the gesture was a reflection of a regime that prioritises the welfare of farmers over partisan interests.
“We are not here to play politics. But it is only fair to give credit where credit is due. Any government that puts farmers first deserves our commendation and support,” he said.
Alhaji Abukari, who is also the National Chairman of the Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Association (COCOSHE), also commended the government for the swift upward adjustment of cocoa prices within the same fiscal year. “This is unprecedented for a government to adjust cocoa price twice within the same year,” adding, “it reflects a government responsive to the economic realities of rural producers.”
“This is not just economics—it’s governance,” he said. “When a government listens to farmers and acts decisively, it strengthens the social contract and deepens trust in national leadership,” he said.
He noted that beyond the prize increase, the provision of free inputs such as fertilisers, torchlights, and mass spraying services had significantly boosted morale among cocoa producers. According to him, they really appreciated the level of support, stressing “it motivates us to work harder to maintain Ghana’s global standing—and perhaps reclaim our position as the world’s leading cocoa producer”.
The meeting also served as a platform for reinforcing transparency and equity in the distribution of inputs. Alhaji Bukari urged local chief farmers to uphold fairness and accountability, stressing that political goodwill must be matched by institutional integrity.
Other farmers who spoke to the media cautioned against simplistic comparisons with neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire, arguing that Ghanaian farmers benefit from a more robust support system. They called on the youth to embrace agriculture as a dignified and rewarding venture, rather than engage in environmentally destructive practices such as galamsey.
Contributing, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) reaffirmed its commitment to providing timely and continuous supply of fertilisers to cocoa farmers in Ghana to improve yields and support the cocoa sector. According to Jerome K. Sam, Head of Public Affairs for COCOBOD, the organisation believed that timely supply of farming inputs was crucial to the sector’s success.
Mr Sam, representing COCOBOD’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Randy Abbey, assured farmers that their grievances would be compiled and addressed. “We have taken all their concerns, as major stakeholders, it’s our duty to compile their grievances and ensure they are addressed.”
“The farmers had expressed concerns about the supply of fertilisers, which COCOBOD is already working to address.”
He noted that as Ghana navigates complex global market dynamics, “the cocoa sector remains a powerful barometer of political credibility and rural development”.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI
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The post Cocoa farmers praise govt for increasing cocoa producer price appeared first on Ghanaian Times.
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