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ILEE proposes market based reforms following cocoa producer price adjustment
The Institute for Liberty and Economic Education has welcomed the decision by the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Cocoa Board to adjust the cocoa producer price to GH₵2,587 per bag, describing it as a difficult but necessary step to protect the financial stability of the cocoa sector.
The adjustment, announced on February 12, comes at a time of rising global market pressures and domestic liquidity challenges.
According to ILEE, the price review highlights broader difficulties in managing cocoa prices under a highly centralized system.
The institute views the development as a signal for reforms that will better link world market prices to what farmers receive locally.
The Director of Policy at ILEE, Dr. Stephen Morgan noted that while government efforts to openly address the current challenges are encouraging, more frequent and market linked price reviews would help avoid sudden and disruptive changes in the future.
ILEE therefore proposed a set of reforms it describes as a partnership for prosperity to support government efforts and protect farmers.
These include adopting a price setting formula that adjusts more regularly in line with global trends, expanding the role of Licensed Buying Companies to reduce the financial burden on the state, and giving farmers greater flexibility in how and where they sell their cocoa.
The institute believes these steps will help curb problems such as smuggling and the shift of farmlands to illegal mining.
The think tank called for stronger incentives for local cocoa processing.
It praised government efforts to promote value addition and encouraged further easing of restrictions to allow small scale Ghanaian businesses to process more cocoa locally, which could reduce pressure on exports and create additional jobs.
ILEE indicated its readiness to work with COCOBOD and the Ministry of Finance to develop a balanced framework that combines state oversight with market efficiency.
It maintains that closer alignment between local cocoa prices and global market realities will help ensure that Ghana remains a leading producer known for quality cocoa and improved farmer welfare.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Bono East Regional Police Command, Techiman received a found bag containing cash amounting to GHC 85,000.00.
On February 14, 2026, the attention of the police officers on duty at the Police Snap Check Point on the Techiman-Kumasi Highway was drawn to a bag which had possibly fallen off a moving vehicle and was lying on the roadside. The bag bore the name “Ofori” and a phone number written on it.
The duty officers, led by Inspector George Appiah, with three (3) others took the bag and realized it contained money. The officers dutifully handed over the bag to the Regional Command for investigation.
The contact number on the bag was called, and 53-year-old businessman from Ashtown, Kumasi, who identified himself as Stephen Ofori, responded. He later reported to the check to claim ownership of the bag.
Mr. Ofori stated that the money, an amount of Ghc 85,000 was being transported from GCB Bank, Wa to Kumasi via a commercial vehicle.
The amount was verified in the presence of the owner, and same was confirmed to be GHC 85,000.00
After satisfactory explanation from the claimant and upon further verification, Police released the cash sum of GHC 85,000.00 to him.
The top hierarchy have highly commended officers and the community members who brought this to the attention of the Police.
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ghana has addressed reports linking a supposed Russian citizen to an incident involving some Ghanaian women.
This comes after several media outlets reported that the man allegedly lured the women, secretly filmed them during sexual encounters, and shared the videos online, sparking public outrage across social media.
Many Ghanaians, women’s rights groups, and advocacy organizations have condemned the acts, calling for stronger protection of privacy and strict enforcement against non consensual sharing of intimate content.
In its post, the embassy said it was aware of the reports and is monitoring the situation closely, but it did not confirm the identity or nationality of the individual involved.
“The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ghana has taken note of the reports in the Ghanaian media on the alleged involvement of a supposedly Russian citizen engaged in sexual activities with some Ghanaian women and recorded and circulated those acts without consent,” they noted.
By: Jacob Aggrey
