President John Dramani Mahama has called for more farmer-centred policies in Ghana’s cocoa sector, citing his own experience as a cocoa farmer to underscore the impact of government pricing decisions. Speaking at the inaugural Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition on Tuesday, 17 February, the President said he understands firsthand the economic pressures facing cocoa farmers, particularly amid recent fluctuations in global cocoa prices and reforms within the sector.
“Nana Kwebu Ewusi gave me 50 acres of land, and I planted cocoa on the 50 acres, so I am a cocoa farmer. So when the price is reduced by the government, it affects me too. I want to be able to empathise with farmers so that when we take any policy decision, we know that it has an effect on farmers, and we feel it ourselves,” he said.
The comments come after controversial reforms in which the farmgate price for cocoa was cut from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per bag to align with volatile international markets.
Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer after Côte d’Ivoire, relies heavily on cocoa as a major source of foreign exchange and livelihoods for more than 800,000 farm households. The sector also supports millions across transport networks, processing industries, and rural communities.
President Mahama noted that government decisions on cocoa pricing directly affect rural livelihoods, education, and household welfare. He stressed that reforms must prioritise fairness, sustainability, and long-term growth.
The Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit, organised with support from the Ghana Tree Crops Authority, aims to attract investment in cocoa, cashew, rubber, coconut, and oil palm, with a focus on value addition and diversification of the agricultural economy.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the cocoa sector through improved pricing mechanisms, increased productivity, and ensuring farmers receive fair returns for their produce.
He concluded that aligning policy with the lived experiences of farmers is critical to safeguarding Ghana’s cocoa industry and maintaining its global competitiveness.
Source: myjoyonline.com
