The Minority Caucus in Parliament has strongly criticised the government’s decision to reduce the cocoa producer price, characterising the move as unjust to farmers and damaging to the sector.
Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, Ranking Member of the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, accused the government of unfair treatment of cocoa farmers.
During a press conference on Thursday, February 12, 2026, he stated that the reduction, resulting in a price drop from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per bag, is without precedent.
He urged the government to reconsider its decision and proposed a corresponding reduction in the salaries of public sector workers in line with the decline in farmgate prices of cocoa.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has announced a reduction in the producer price from GH¢51,660 to GH¢41,392 per tonne for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season.
The move he noted is aimed at stabilising the cocoa sector amid financial pressures.
But Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku says the move is unfair and questioned whether the staff will have their salaries also reduced.
“This has never happened. Why are we treating cocoa farmers this way? The cocoa farmer has never enjoyed the full benefit of the FOB price. Cocoa farmers have sacrificed for this country,” Dr Opoku said.
“If the cocoa farmer’s price is going to be reduced by almost 30 per cent, then everybody’s pay in this country should also be slashed by that margin. Is the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD’s salary and allowance going to be reduced by the same margin?. Today is a sad day for the country. The President should come again. Cocoa farmers deserve better,” he stated.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
