Source: Vincent Kwofie
Cocoa farmers from Ghana’s Western North Region on Friday staged a peaceful picket at the head office of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in Accra, calling for the immediate restoration of the previous cocoa producer price.
Wearing red armbands and holding placards bearing messages such as “Restore Our Cocoa Price Now,” “Cocoa Farmers Deserve Better,” and “No to Price Cuts,” the farmers said the recent reduction in the producer price has deepened the financial hardship they face.
The protesters travelled overnight from cocoa-growing communities in Sefwi, Bibiani, and surrounding areas to register their displeasure. They argued that the price cut has significantly reduced their incomes at a time when the cost of farm inputs, transportation, and labour continues to rise.
Speaking to the media, some of the farmers stressed that cocoa farming remains the backbone of many households in the Western North Region. According to them, any reduction in the producer price directly affects the ability of farming families to pay school fees, access healthcare, and meet basic household needs.
They also expressed concern that while global cocoa prices fluctuate, local producers often bear the impact of policy decisions without adequate consultation.
The farmers, therefore, called on COCOBOD and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to engage them in meaningful dialogue before implementing any further price adjustments.
Receiving the petition on behalf of COCOBOD, the Deputy Public Affairs Director, Benjamin Larweh, assured the farmers that their concerns would be forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD for the necessary attention and redress.
The protest adds to growing nationwide discontent among cocoa farmers following the mid-season reduction in the producer price, as calls intensify for policies that better protect the livelihoods of those who sustain Ghana’s cocoa industry.
