Cocoa farmers in the Western North Region have held a demonstration to protest the government’s recent decision to reduce the cocoa producer price from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per 64-kilogram bag.
The demonstration took place on Thursday, February 19, 2026. According to the farmers, the reduction is unfair and detrimental to their livelihoods.
Farmers from districts such as Sefwi Wiawso, Juaboso, and Bia West marched through principal streets, carrying placards with the messages “Restore Our Price Now” and “Cocoa Sustains Ghana, Don’t Neglect Farmers.”
They expressed that the government had deceived them, acting contrary to their promises.
The farmers argued that the new price barely covers production expenses due to rising costs of labor, fertilizer, and transportation.
The government recently announced the reduction, citing the need to align farmgate prices with international market realities amid a sharp decline in global cocoa prices.
The adjustment sets the producer price at GH¢41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH¢2,587 per bag, for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season, representing a 28% reduction from the previous rate.
Finance Minsiter Dr Cassiel Ato Forson says the new prices were announced as part of efforts to restore liquidity in the cocoa sector and facilitate timely payments to farmers, many of whom had faced payment delays due to unsold stocks and financial pressures at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
