News
Producer price of cocoa jumps from $3,100 to $5,040 per tonne – Finance Minister
The Government has announced a significant increase in the producer price of cocoa ahead of the 2025/2026 crop season, which opens on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
According to the Minister for Finance, Mr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the new price has been reviewed upwards from US$3,100 per tonne to US$5,040 per tonne.
He stated that it represents a 62.58% increase in dollar terms and aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to pay cocoa farmers 70% of the gross Free-On-Board (FOB) value of cocoa.
Mr. Forson, who chairs the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), said the decision followed a committee meeting to review pricing for the upcoming season.
He explained that the $5,040 per tonne figure represents exactly 70% of the gross FOB value of US$7,200 per tonne, an improvement over the previous government’s 63.9% payment to farmers under the 2024/25 season.
He noted that the FOB value was calculated using about 100,000 tonnes of cocoa sold at US$2,600 per tonne in the 2023/2024 crop year, coupled with price forecasts for the 2025/2026 season.
He added that at an average exchange rate of GHS10.25 to the US dollar, the increase also affects the Ghana cedi equivalent of cocoa prices.
Mr Forson indicated that farmers will now receive GHS51,660 per tonne, up from GHS49,600. This translates to GHS3,228.75 per bag of 64-kilogram gross weight.
The new pricing regime takes effect from Thursday, August 7, 2025.
By: Jacob. Aggrey
News
IGP to arrest perpetrators of violence at the Ablekuma North elections – Nana B
The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, has disclosed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has pledged to arrest all those involved in the recent violence at the Ablekuma North elections.
In a Facebook post, Nana B said the assurance was given during a meeting between political parties and the IGP over security preparations for the upcoming Akwatia by-election, scheduled for September 2, 2025.
According to him, the NPP delegation, made up of himself, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central Henry Quartey, and DCOP Kwasi Ofori, urged the IGP to take swift action against the perpetrators of the violence.
He explained that their images had been widely captured in photos and videos, and their arrest would serve as a warning to others planning to cause disturbances in future elections.
“The IGP assured the NPP that the police will very soon arrest all the perpetrators of the Ablekuma North elections violence,” Nana B stated.
He further disclosed that the police plan to deploy about 5,000 officers to ensure adequate security across all polling stations during the Akwatia by-election.
The NPP, however, called on the police not to apply the law selectively.
Nana B noted that while some persons linked to the NPP have been arrested over social media commentary, others aligned with different political parties appear to have been left off the hook.
Despite this concern, the NPP expressed appreciation to the IGP for engaging political parties ahead of the by-election.
The party said it expects concrete steps to be taken to bring the perpetrators of the Ablekuma North violence to book.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Efforts are underway to fix the Ofankor–Nsawam Road – Ghana Highway Authority assures drivers
The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) has assured motorists that steps are being taken to repair the bad portions of the Ofankor–Nsawam Road.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the Authority said it had taken note of recent demonstrations and complaints from drivers, especially over the stretch between Sapeiman and Medie/Sansam junction.
According to the statement, the contractor has already fixed parts of the damaged road.
It mentioned that as of Monday, August 18, about five gangs were working on both the northbound and southbound lanes to improve safety and riding comfort.
The GHA appealed to drivers and commuters to be patient and cautious while using the road and to cooperate with traffic wardens and flagmen to avoid traffic jams.
It added that law enforcement officers had also been engaged to help manage traffic.
The Authority expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the works and assured the public that the project would be completed.
It said regular updates would be given on the progress.
By: Jacob Aggrey
