The Member of Parliament for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of failing to deliver on its promises to cocoa farmers, describing the recent cocoa pricing decision as a betrayal.

In a post on X on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Rev Ntim Fordjour criticised the government of shortchanging cocoa farmers despite earlier commitments.

He highlighted that the NDC had promised farmers GH¢6,500 per bag of cocoa in 2024, compared to the GH¢3,100 paid under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

The MP further noted that the government had pledged to increase this to GH¢7,200 per bag in 2025.

However, Rev Ntim Fordjour expressed disappointment that the current pricing stands at just GH¢3,228 per bag, which he argued is barely an improvement over the previous rate.

"Cocoa farmers are highly disappointed in the deception of NDC and President Mahama’s government. In 2024, they said farmers deserved 6,500 cedis per bag when NPP paid 3,100. They later promised to pay 7,200 per bag in 2025. Today, cocoa farmers are shortchanged with a paltry 3,228 per bag," he wrote.

The comment by the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament comes in the wake of the Ghana Cocoa Board's announcement of a new producer price for the 2025/2026 season, increasing it from US$3,100 to US$5,040 per tonne, a 62.58% rise in dollar terms.

This adjustment is in line with President John Mahama’s campaign promise to ensure cocoa farmers receive at least 70% of the Free-On-Board (FOB) value, which is currently set at US$7,200 per tonne.

Despite the increase, critics have argued that the local currency equivalent does not reflect the promised benefits due to economic factors such as currency fluctuations.

Members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have contended that the new price does not adequately compensate farmers for their efforts, especially when compared to the expectations set during the campaign.

GA/MA

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