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GCCP Slams Government’s 2025/26 Cocoa Price as Misleading, Calls for 70 percent of World Market Rate
The Ghana Civil-Society Cocoa Platform (GCCP) has criticised the government’s newly announced cocoa producer price for the 2025/2026 crop season, describing it as misleading and inadequate in addressing the worsening economic conditions confronting cocoa farmers.
According to the group, the reported 62 percent increase in the farm gate price from USD $3,100 to USD $5,040 per metric tonne does not reflect the real benefit to farmers. In local currency terms, they argue, the actual increase is only about 4.1 percent.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, President of the GCCP, Issaka Issifu, explained that although the dollar figures may appear significant, the price per 64-kilogram bag has risen only marginally from GH¢3,100 to GH¢3,228.75.
He described the increase as inadequate, especially in light of the economic hardships cocoa farmers are facing such as rising costs of inputs, labour, and basic living expenses and noted that President John Dramani Mahama had publicly pledged that farmers would receive 70 percent of the world market price.
The GCCP believes this created the expectation that the farm gate price would be calculated directly from the gross global price of cocoa, not after deducting processing and export costs.
However, Mr Issifu stated that the recent announcement by the Minister for Finance was based on the Free on Board (FOB) price a lower benchmark which reflects the value of cocoa after deductions such as transport, port handling, and quality control have been made. The group said this contradicts the earlier political commitment and has generated confusion among farmers.
Citing its own technical calculations, he revealed that with the world market price averaging about $8,298 per metric tonne, 70 percent of that would amount to roughly GH¢58,835 per tonne. When converted and divided by 16 bags per tonne (64kg per bag), this would translate to approximately GH¢3,677 per bag.
Given that expectation, the Platform is calling on government to honour its original commitment to pay 70 percent of the world market price without deductions, which would amount to at least GH¢3,600 per bag. They are also urging mid-season price reviews to reflect market fluctuations, stronger support for local Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), and long-term investments in infrastructure, climate resilience, and farmer education.
Mr Issifu also raised concerns about persistent structural challenges affecting the cocoa sector, such as limited access to agricultural inputs, weak extension services, climate vulnerabilities, and poor infrastructure in cocoa-growing communities. They warned that low pricing is fueling the smuggling of cocoa beans to neighbouring countries where farmers are paid significantly higher rates.
While acknowledging government’s reintroduction of input support programmes, he cautioned against political interference in their implementation, citing past experiences of favouritism and partisan distribution. he also welcomed the upcoming Ghana Cocoa Traceability System aimed at ensuring compliance with the European Union’s deforestation regulations, but said many farmers remain uninformed and unprepared for its rollout.
The GCCP reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for cocoa farmers’ welfare and said it is prepared to work with government and other stakeholders to build a fairer and more sustainable cocoa industry in Ghana.
BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it has successfully conducted constituency executive elections in 245 out of its 276 constituencies across the country.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the exercise recorded an 88.7 per cent success rate and was conducted peacefully in the constituencies where voting took place.
In an update posted on his Facebook page, he said elections in 23 constituencies were put on hold because of various disputes.
He added that four constituencies Ningo Prampram, Atwima Mponua, Obuasi West and Trobu could not hold their elections due to last minute challenges.
According to him, the party’s National Steering Committee will also review election activities in Afigya Sekyere East, Adansi Asokwa, Bantama and Asante Akyem Central.
Mr Frimpong said the National Secretariat is committed to resolving all outstanding issues to ensure the successful completion of the constituency executive elections.
He expressed appreciation to members of the party for their support and discipline throughout the exercise.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all Patriots for their commitment, discipline, and support, which contributed to the successful conduct of these elections,” he stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested two Nigerian nationals in connection with the murder of a 36-year-old Nigerian man at Sanzirigu in Tamale.
The suspects, identified as Daniel Victor Eze and David Oko Ewa, were arrested on Saturday, July 11, shortly after the body of Nkemujika Uzorchuku Eze was found in his bedroom.
According to the Police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased lived in a three-bedroom apartment with his wife, Peace Uzorchuku, the two suspects and another Nigerian national, Godwin Nwafor.
The Police said officers began investigations after receiving a report that the deceased had been found lying in a pool of blood in his room.
A team that visited the scene found that he had suffered a deep cut to the forehead and had a towel stuffed into his mouth. The room had also been ransacked.
The Police said a wooden pestle believed to have been used in the attack, together with other items, was recovered from the scene for forensic examination.
The body was taken to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where a medical officer confirmed him dead before it was deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and an autopsy.
According to the Police, intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the two suspects at Tatale on the same day while they were allegedly attempting to escape into the Republic of Togo.
They were later handed over to the Tamale District Criminal Investigations Department to assist with investigations.
The Police said the suspects allegedly admitted during interrogation that they had conspired to kill the deceased because he had been withholding money they claimed was obtained through internet fraud.
A search conducted after their arrest led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been stolen from the deceased’s room, including mobile phones, laptop computers, a tablet, jewellery, clothing, wristwatches, personal documents and other valuables. The Police said the items have been kept as exhibits to support the investigations.
The suspects remain in Police custody and are expected to appear before court on Monday, July 13, to facilitate the ongoing investigations.
The Northern Regional Police Command said it remains committed to bringing everyone involved in the crime to justice and urged the public to provide credible information to help fight crime.
By: Jacob Aggrey
