The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has appealed to cocoa farmers across the country not to destroy their cocoa trees following the recent decline in producer prices, assuring them that the government is taking steps to stabilise the sector.

According to him, changes in cocoa prices are largely driven by conditions on the international market and are not limited to Ghana alone.

The Deputy Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, encouraged farmers to remain patient and continue maintaining their cocoa farms while the government works to resolve the challenges affecting the industry.

He noted that producer prices in neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire are currently even lower than those in Ghana, making cocoa smuggling across the border less attractive.

Mr Dumelo further assured farmers that the government remains committed to supporting them and addressing payment concerns in the sector, urging them to stay calm and avoid taking drastic measures such as cutting down their cocoa trees.

Mr Dumelo appealed in an interview with Citi FM on the sidelines of the special launch of the 70th anniversary celebrations of Akuafo Hall at the University of Ghana.

“When you go to the Ivory Coast, the price is even lower than in Ghana, so it is not even worth it to smuggle cocoa there. It is about the world cocoa prices. The cocoa farmers shouldn’t cut down the trees. They should stand firm; the government will pay them,” he said.