The Minority in Parliament has urged President John Dramani Mahama to relieve Randy Abbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), of his duties amid what it describes as a deepening crisis in the cocoa sector.
The caucus expressed grave concern over the recent reduction in the cocoa producer price, warning that the 28.6 percent cut could severely impact the livelihoods of over one million cocoa farmers and their families across the nation.
Addressing journalists at Parliament on Thursday, February 12, Ranking Member of the Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, criticised the government’s move.
“This decision places an undue burden on our cocoa farmers, who are already grappling with escalating costs. The Minority will not remain silent on this matter and stands ready to support farmers should they choose to protest the reduction in the producer price,” he stated.
The call comes in the wake of the government’s announcement of a revised cocoa producer price of GH¢41,392 per tonne, or GH¢2,587 per bag, effective Thursday, February 12, for the remainder of the 2025–2026 crop season.
Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson defended the adjustment, attributing it to fluctuations in global cocoa market conditions. He stressed that the measure aims to stabilise the sector, bolster confidence, and guarantee timely payments to farmers.
The new price marks a significant reduction from the initial GH¢51,660 per tonne set at the start of the season.