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GCCP Slams Government’s 2025/26 Cocoa Price as Misleading, Calls for 70 percent of World Market Rate
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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 Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
