Some cocoa farmers in Ghana are renewing calls for the government to guarantee that at least 70% of cocoa’s Free-On-Board (FOB) price is paid directly to local producers. They argue that anything less continues to undervalue their contribution to the global cocoa supply chain and undermines their livelihoods.

This renewed advocacy follows a recent promise by former President John Dramani Mahama during his Thank You tour in the Ahafo Region. Speaking on Saturday, Mahama assured that a new and significantly improved cocoa producer price would be announced in August 2025.

Reacting to the announcement, the President of the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association, Stephenson Anane Boateng, told Citi Business News that while the news is encouraging, cocoa farmers remain cautious and are watching closely.

“Cocoa farmers are Ghanaians too, and the work we do significantly contributes to the national economy,” Boateng said. “The constitution clearly stipulates that farmers should receive 70% of the FOB price. So why do governments keep offering figures that fall short?”

Ghana is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, and the earnings of cocoa farmers are a major factor in rural development and sustained investment in the sector. Ensuring fair compensation is therefore seen as crucial to both social equity and long-term industry growth.

Boateng also expressed concerns over the government’s push for large-scale commercial cocoa farming. He warned that without a clear and sustainable long-term strategy, such ventures could marginalize smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of the cocoa sector.

“I don’t see the sense in the government’s push for commercial cocoa farms,” he said. “Our first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, established many factories and State Farms—where are they now?”

The previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration increased the cocoa producer price in November 2024, raising it from GH₵48,000 to GH₵49,600 per tonne. This translated to an increase in the price per 64kg bag from GH₵3,000 to GH₵3,100.

As cocoa farmers await the August 2025 announcement, they continue to urge the government to prioritize fairness, sustainability, and the economic rights of smallholder producers.