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Kojo Oppong Nkrumah credits sharp rise in cocoa prices and production to previous administration
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Standing Committee on the Economy, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has said that the significant increase in Ghana’s cocoa earnings is largely due to the work of the previous administration.
In an interview with the Asaase Breakfast Show via Zoom, he revealed that after the Economics Committee of Parliament met with the Bank of Ghana, it became clear that both global cocoa prices and export volumes had seen a sharp rise between January and June this year.
According to him, Ghana earned $2.1 billion from cocoa exports in the first half of 2025, compared to $762 million during the same period in 2024.
He explained that the Bank of Ghana attributed the surge in revenue to a 97% increase in the market price of cocoa, which moved from $2,694 to $5,313 per ton.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah noted that the volume of cocoa exports rose from 150,000 tons to 244,000 tons, a 62% increase within the same period.
He emphasized that cocoa does not grow in six months, adding that it takes about three years to mature.
He therefore pointed out that the current increase in earnings was the result of cocoa planted under the previous administration.
He added that the combined effect of higher market prices and increased production volumes had led to the jump in revenue.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Parliament of Ghana has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The bill was passed after it was read for the third time on the floor of Parliament.
The legislation seeks to criminalise activities related to LGBTQ practices in Ghana.
However, lawmakers introduced amendments to exempt some professionals from punishment under the law.
The exemptions cover legal practitioners, media professionals and health workers who provide services to persons identified as LGBTQ.
During proceedings in Parliament, the First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Bernard Ahiafor who was in the chair
announced that the bill had been duly read for the third time and passed.
Supporters of the bill say it is intended to promote what they describe as Ghanaian family values and cultural norms.
The proposed law has generated public debate both within Ghana and internationally, with some groups supporting it while others have raised concerns about human rights and freedoms.
The bill is expected to go through the necessary constitutional processes before it can take effect as law after the President’s assent.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, says the shift system in public schools is not a national policy and has largely been phased out across the country.
Responding to questions on the floor of Parliament today, Mr. Iddrisu explained that the shift system was introduced as a temporary measure to address overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure in some schools.
According to him, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) are continuing efforts to eliminate the system completely through the construction of additional classroom blocks at the basic school level.
He stated that government remains committed to improving teaching and learning conditions in schools across the country.
The Education Minister disclosed that government has allocated GH¢230 million in the 2025 GETFund distribution formula for the procurement of school furniture for both basic and Senior High Schools nationwide.
According to him, the investment forms part of measures to ensure that students have access to a better learning environment.
Mr. Iddrisu further highlighted the importance of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) policy, which was introduced in 1996 to provide every Ghanaian child with free and compulsory basic education.
He said the policy continues to play a major role in reducing illiteracy and promoting equal access to quality education across the country.
The Minister addressed concerns raised by the University Teachers Association of Ghana over issues in the tertiary education sector.
According to him, the Ministry of Education, through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, has taken the necessary steps to maintain industrial harmony in tertiary institutions.
He assured Parliament that government would continue to engage stakeholders in the education sector to ensure stability and improved educational outcomes.
By: Jacob Aggrey
