Frank Adjei-Worlanyo, the Akan Constituency Communications Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has criticised the government’s recent increase in the producer price of cocoa.

He described it as a betrayal of the promises made to farmers during the party’s time in opposition.

The government on Thursday, October 02, 2025, announced an increment in the producer price of cocoa from GH¢3,228 to GH¢3,625 per 64kg bag for the 2025/2026 crop season.

The finance minister made the announcement during a press briefing, describing the move as part of the efforts to support cocoa farmers amid global economic challenges.

Adjei-Worlanyo, however described the increase as “paltry” and “a departure from the bold commitments made by the current administration when it was in opposition.”

In a statement issued on Friday, October 03, 2025, Adjei-Worlanyo recalled that leading figures in the current government, including the finance minister and Minister of Agriculture, had publicly criticised previous cocoa price hikes as inadequate and promised significantly higher rates.

“At the time, they spoke of raising the producer price to GH¢6,500.00 or even GH¢7,000.00 per 64kg bag, claiming anything less was unjust to our hardworking cocoa farmers,” he said.

He noted that such pledges were widely publicised during campaign tours in cocoa-growing regions and formed a central part of the party’s appeal to agricultural communities.

“Today, that promise lies in tatters. What they once called ‘peanuts’ is now what they themselves are offering. This is not just a modest price adjustment- it is a broken promise to our cocoa farmers,” Adjei-Worlanyo added.

He accused the government of applying double standards by failing to meet the expectations it had set for itself, when it criticised past administrations for similar price levels.

While acknowledging potential fiscal challenges and fluctuating global cocoa prices, Adjei-Worlanyo argued that the government had not framed its promises as conditional during the campaign period.

“They presented themselves as the champions of the cocoa farmer who would defy the odds. Now in power, they appear unwilling to deliver what they so forcefully advocated,” he stated.

He further warned that the credibility of political leadership could erode if campaign promises were not backed by action when in office.

“This is not only a betrayal of the cocoa farmer but also a blow to the trust between citizen and state,” he said.

Adjei-Worlanyo called on the government to revisit its commitments and take urgent steps to implement policies that reflect the value of the country’s agricultural sector, particularly the cocoa industry which he described as “the backbone of Ghana’s economy.”

The new cocoa price takes effect from 3rd October 2025 and comes amid mixed reactions from farmer groups and civil society organisations.