President John Dramani Mahama addressed a controversial issue affecting Ghana’s agricultural sector: the reduction of cocoa producer prices.
During the state of the nations address on the floor of Parliament, he said,”The government’s recent decision to lower the price to GH¢41,392 per tonne (equivalent to GH¢2,587 per bag) for the 2025/2026 crop season, he said, was a necessary measure to maintain the country’s economic stability. Despite its potential backlash, Mahama emphasized that the move was vital to prevent further economic strain.
He explained that maintaining the previous cocoa price would have forced the government to borrow billions, pushing the country back into the economic challenges it has recently emerged from. The decision, though tough, was driven by what he described as “sound economic judgement,” prioritizing the broader national interest over short-term political gains.
“The difference between economic hardship and avoiding the same is the exercise of sound economic judgement,” Mahama said, underscoring the difficult choices the government faces to safeguard the nation’s financial future. He expressed his commitment to making decisions that promote the collective wellbeing of Ghanaians, avoiding unnecessary suffering for the populace.
In addressing concerns from the cocoa farming community, President Mahama assured them that the government’s ongoing reforms in the sector would lead to long-term benefits. He promised that these changes would not only stabilize the sector but also guarantee fair and competitive prices for farmers in the years to come.
The government’s strategic reforms are aimed at restructuring the cocoa industry to ensure that Ghana’s farmers are equipped for the future, benefiting from a thriving and sustainable cocoa sector. While the price reduction may be seen as painful now, Mahama’s administration is confident that these reforms will provide long-term stability, both for the farmers and for the national economy.
