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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 Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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