President John Dramani Mahama has assured cocoa farmers that his administration is committed to transforming the sector to deliver greater and more sustainable benefits.

Speaking during the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on Friday, 27 February, President Mahama acknowledged concerns over the recent reduction in cocoa prices, describing the adjustment as a difficult but necessary decision.

“The recent reduction in the price of cocoa was not an easy decision,” he said. “But it was necessary in the interest of safeguarding the sector rather than borrowing billions to pay prices we cannot sustain.”

He explained that heavy borrowing to maintain higher producer prices would have deepened financial pressures and undermined efforts to stabilise the economy.

Structural Reforms for a Resilient Sector

President Mahama assured farmers that the government is implementing structural reforms to improve productivity, strengthen value addition, and ensure cocoa farmers ultimately receive fair and stable returns for their labour.

He emphasised that the long-term goal is to build a resilient cocoa sector capable of delivering consistent income growth for farmers, without exposing the country to excessive debt.

“The government remains committed to supporting farmers and ensuring that the cocoa sector thrives sustainably, providing both stability and prosperity for our hardworking cocoa communities,” he added.