A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team, Awal Mohammed, has accused the government of impoverishing cocoa farmers due to delayed payments and inadequate support.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM show on February 17, Awal said cocoa farmers have consistently received less than promised.

“We are impoverishing the cocoa farmer. The cocoa farmer has never gotten up to 80% or even 70%. We all promised that when we come, we'll give 70% FOB to them. But unfortunately, at a point in time, they even get 40% or 50%. Whatever the case, from time immemorial, it has never happened that it is the cocoa farmer who will take the cut. It is supposed to be the government and not the cocoa farmer," he stated.

He criticised claims of a strong economy, saying that while the books show progress, the reality on the ground is different, and cocoa farmers cannot be bailed out under current conditions.

“We are told that we have a robust economy today with brighter economic fundamentals. You cannot bail out the cocoa farmer. The economy that we are told is moving in the right direction is in the books and not really on the ground.”

Mr Awal noted that the current period is a “light season” for cocoa, with no more than 500,000 tonnes left for purchase, limiting immediate support for farmers. He warned of the wider impact on livelihoods:

“This affects the livelihoods of over a million people directly. If you consider their dependants, we are talking about the livelihoods of 4 to 5 million people.”

Highlighting the human cost, he shared:

“Yesterday, I watched one of the students from the University of Education. He said some of their colleagues are out of school because their parents couldn't pay their fees. They sent their cocoa in November to be paid, and it has not been paid. The cocoa farmer didn’t even enjoy Christmas.”

Turning to the management of the Cocoa Board, Awal questioned financial allocations:

“The executives of Cocoa Board have taken 20% cuts. Are you sending that cut to the cocoa farmer? Or are you just keeping it at the Cocoa Board? The government is supposed to find money and pay, just like Côte d’Ivoire is doing right now. Côte d’Ivoire is paying 3,600 per bag and insisting that all LBCs must buy at that rate until March.”

He also addressed cross-border sales and smuggling, noting that price differences incentivise businesspeople rather than farmers:

“Smuggling has been there over time. It is not the poor cocoa farmers who smuggle; business people buy and smuggle cocoa to sell elsewhere. The Cocoa Board and the government are toying with the lives of cocoa farmers. And that is the problem.”

He urged the government to take urgent action to ensure that cocoa farmers receive their due payments promptly.

His comments come after the government set a new farmgate cocoa price at GH₵41,392 per tonne for the 2025–2026 season, equivalent to GH₵2,587 per bag, effective immediately.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced the revised cocoa producer price in a press briefing, noting that it is aimed at cushioning farmers against the recent decline in global cocoa prices.