Cocoa farmers at Kwamesua and Wamho, cocoa-growing communities in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region, have welcomed the new cocoa producer price, describing it as acceptable, but called on the government to strengthen the cocoa sector through strict structural reforms.
According to the farmers, effective enforcement of the reforms would ensure timely payments and help farmers benefit fully from trends on the international market.
Mr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister for Finance, recently announced a reduction in the cocoa producer price from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per bag, representing a 28.6 percent cut. The price per tonne has also declined from GH¢51,660 to GH¢41,392.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kwamesua, Nana Akwasi Poku, the Chief Farmer, who operates a 15-acre cocoa farm, said although successive governments had supported cocoa farmers, delays in payment remained a major concern.
He appealed to the government to clear all outstanding arrears and institute critical structural reforms, especially as global market challenges persisted.
At Wamho, another farmer, Mr Alex Boahen, said the farmers were aware of the international market situation and were therefore “not overly worried about the price reduction.”
He stressed the need for prompt and regular payments to sustain their livelihood.
Madam Dorcas Afia Nyarko, who manages a 12-acre cocoa farm, described the fluctuating cocoa prices as unfortunate.
Despite the high cost of maintaining cocoa farms, she said farmers remained committed to investing in their fields.
A young farmer, Abu Razak Gariba, urged his colleagues to remain calm, expressing optimism that the price of cocoa would rebound.
He appealed to the government to continue supplying essential inputs such as fertilizers, wellington boots and cutlasses to help boost production.
Source: Access Agric
