The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana has expressed concerns over the government's decision to set the producer price of cocoa at GH¢2,650 per 64-kilogramme bag for the 2026/27 crop season. According to the NPP, this amount is inadequate and may not meet the minimum threshold required under the law. The party made this statement on September 27, 2026.
The NPP noted that the new price represents an increase of only GH¢63, equivalent to 2.4%, from the GH¢2,587 producer price that was in effect at the end of the 2025/26 cocoa season. This slight increase has raised questions about the government's commitment to improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers in Ghana.
The NPP's criticism is based on the provisions of the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182), which requires the producer price for a cocoa season to be at least 70% of the Gross Free-on-Board (FOB) price realised by COCOBOD. The party disputes the government's calculation that the GH¢2,650 price represents 71.18% of the Gross FOB price and is calling for greater transparency over the figures and methodology used.
The government's announcement of the new producer price on September 25, 2026, has sparked controversy, with the NPP accusing the government of failing to fulfil commitments made to cocoa farmers during the 2024 election campaign. The NPP claims that senior figures from the opposing party, including President John Dramani Mahama, promised farmers a producer price of GH¢6,000 per bag.
During the 2024 election campaign, the NPP alleges that the opposing party's campaign team described the then producer price of GH¢3,100 per bag as exploitative and argued that cocoa farmers deserved to receive at least 70% of the international market price. The NPP maintains that the prices subsequently announced by the government have fallen considerably short of those campaign commitments.
The NPP's criticism of the government's producer price decision highlights the ongoing challenges faced by cocoa farmers in Ghana. The country's cocoa sector plays a significant role in the economy, and the NPP's concerns may resonate with farmers who feel that their interests are not being adequately represented.
The government has yet to respond to the NPP's criticism, but the controversy surrounding the producer price decision is likely to continue. The issue may have implications for the cocoa sector and the broader economy, and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how it unfolds in the coming days and weeks.
Key points
- The NPP has criticised the government's decision to set the producer price of cocoa at GH¢2,650 per 64-kilogramme bag for the 2026/27 crop season.
- The party disputes the government's calculation that the GH¢2,650 price represents 71.18% of the Gross FOB price.
- The NPP accuses the government of failing to fulfil commitments made to cocoa farmers during the 2024 election campaign.
