The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced plans to present a comprehensive policy alternative aimed at resolving the pressing challenges facing Ghana’s cocoa industry.
This comes after the government’s decision on February 12 to cut the cocoa producer price to GH¢41,392 per tonne (equivalent to GH¢2,587 per bag) for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season. The reduction has sparked widespread concerns among farmers and other industry stakeholders.
In response, the Minority Caucus in Parliament constituted a Select Committee, led by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, to tour cocoa-growing regions and engage directly with farmers. The committee gathered firsthand feedback and compiled a detailed report containing findings and recommendations.
Presenting the report, Dr Bawumia stated that it would be forwarded to the NPP’s Policy Committee on Agriculture, Food Security and Agribusiness for thorough technical review and expert consultation.
“What I am looking at with the presentation of this report is to take this Select Committee report to the Policy Committee on Agriculture, Food Security, and Agribusiness. We are going to ask this committee to technically review the findings, consult experts in the area, and then bring forward costed policy alternatives for us,” he said.
The anticipated policy proposals are expected to contribute to broader national discussions on stabilising the cocoa sector and improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.