President John Dramani Mahama has highlighted the importance of putting farmers at the heart of policy decisions in Ghana’s cocoa sector, drawing from his own experience as a cocoa farmer.

Speaking at the maiden Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition on February 17, 2026, the President said he understands the economic pressures cocoa farmers face, especially given the recent volatility in global cocoa prices.

“Nana Kwebu Ewusi gave me 50 acres of land, and I planted cocoa on the 50 acres, so I am a cocoa farmer. So, when the price is reduced by the government, it affects me too. I want to be able to empathise with farmers so that when we take any policy decision, we know that it has an effect on farmers and we feel it ourselves,” he said.

The remarks come after the controversial reduction of the cocoa farmgate price from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per bag, a move aimed at aligning local prices with global market fluctuations.

Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer after Côte d’Ivoire, relies on the crop as a major source of income for over 800,000 farm households and as a significant contributor to foreign exchange.

The recent global price swings which peaked at over $10,000 per tonne in 2024 before declining have added to the uncertainty facing farmers.

President Mahama stressed that government policies must reflect the realities on the ground, noting their direct impact on rural livelihoods, education, and household welfare.

The summit, supported by the Ghana Tree Crops Authority, seeks to attract investment into cocoa, cashew, rubber, coconut, and oil palm, aiming to diversify the agricultural economy and boost value addition.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, the President said efforts will continue to ensure farmers get fair returns, improve productivity, and secure the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry on the global stage.

NA/VPO

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