Cocoa farmers are once again pushing for the government to guarantee a minimum of 70% of the Free-On-Board (FOB) price for local producers. This demand stems from the farmers’ belief that their contribution to the global cocoa supply chain is undervalued. The call to action comes after President John Dramani Mahama announced a new, improved cocoa producer price set to be revealed in August 2025.
The President of the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association, Stephenson Anane Boateng, expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming announcement. However, he emphasised that the constitutional provision clearly states that 70% of the FOB price should go to farmers, questioning why successive governments propose different figures.
As the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, Ghana’s cocoa pricing significantly impacts rural livelihoods and long-term farm investments. Boateng also advised the government to be cautious with large-scale commercial farming initiatives, warning that they might crowd out smallholder farmers if not properly planned.
The previous administration increased the producer price from GH₵48,000 to GH₵49,600 per tonne in November 2024, translating to a GH₵3,000 to GH₵3,100 rise per 64kg bag. Boateng questioned the effectiveness of government-proposed commercial farms, referencing past state farms established by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah that have since become defunct.
