At the Thanksgiving Ceremony of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, called for immediate action to settle outstanding payments owed to Ghana’s cocoa farmers.
With months of delayed payments hurting the livelihoods of many farmers, Afenyo-Markin stressed that the sector’s concerns go beyond policy speeches and announcements—it’s about paying the hardworking cocoa producers their dues.
The remarks come at a time when the cocoa industry in Ghana is facing a serious crisis, compounded by delayed payments and the government’s decision to reduce the producer price for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season.
The revised price has been set at GH¢41,392 per tonne (GH¢2,587 per bag), representing 90% of the gross FOB price of $4,200 per tonne. While authorities argue that the reduction is meant to cushion farmers against falling global cocoa prices, the decision has sparked widespread criticism.
Afenyo-Markin sharply criticized the government’s approach, asserting that the reduction from GH¢3,625 per bag to GH¢2,587 has placed additional financial strain on farmers. “It’s not just about communicating policies or putting out press statements,” he said. “It’s about ensuring that the cocoa farmers get their money on time.”
The government’s failure to pay farmers on schedule, coupled with the price cuts, has left many producers deeply dissatisfied. The minority leader highlighted that the real issue facing farmers is not the lack of government communication but the immediate need for payments that are overdue. He further warned that this ongoing crisis could escalate if not addressed promptly.
“The cocoa farmers want their money. No amount of public relations or social media posts will fix the issue. It’s time for the NDC government to pay up,” Afenyo-Markin emphasized. He also claimed that many farmers are experiencing significant financial losses under the current pricing regime, leading to further distress within the cocoa industry.
Afenyo-Markin’s remarks reflect broader concerns within the agricultural community, with stakeholders fearing that the situation could worsen if no immediate action is taken. The Minority Leader made it clear that the issue would be raised in Parliament, promising to hold the government accountable for the welfare of cocoa farmers. “We will make sure this matter is not swept under the carpet,” he warned. “The government must pay the cocoa farmers what they are owed.”
