Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced plans to develop a comprehensive policy alternative to address the challenges confronting Ghana’s cocoa sector.
His remarks come in the wake of the government’s decision on February 12 to reduce 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 move has sparked concerns among cocoa farmers and industry stakeholders, many of whom argue that the reduction could worsen their economic hardships.
In response to the concerns, the Minority Caucus constituted a Select Committee to tour cocoa-growing communities across the country and engage directly with farmers. The committee, led by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, gathered feedback from cocoa producers and compiled a report containing key findings and recommendations.
Speaking during the presentation of the report, Dr. Bawumia said the findings would be submitted to the party’s Policy Committee on Agriculture, Food Security and Agribusiness for a thorough technical review.
According to him, the committee will consult experts and develop practical, costed policy proposals aimed at addressing the concerns raised by farmers and revitalising the cocoa sector.
“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,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
He added, “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.”
Dr. Bawumia noted that the proposed policy alternatives would form part of broader efforts to stabilise Ghana’s cocoa industry, improve the livelihoods of farmers, and ensure the long-term sustainability of one of the country’s most important economic sectors.
The anticipated proposals are expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing national conversation on how best to strengthen the cocoa value chain and protect the interests of producers.
