The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA) is strongly opposing the government’s proposed new cocoa price.
On Saturday, the government will announce the revised price for cocoa purchases in the upcoming 2023/2024 crop season.
There are rumours circulating that a bag of cocoa, previously priced at GHc800, will now be sold for GHc1,380. However, GNACOFA dismisses this amount as insignificant.
In an interview with Oyerepa News, Mr. Anane Boateng, the President of GNACOFA, expressed his dissatisfaction with the proposed price, stating that it is insufficient and should be adjusted.
“We have heard about the new price but we’re not happy. This is because the price of cocoa bag on the world market is selling between GHc15,000 and GHc20,000. So if the government has increased the bag to GHc1380, we’re not satisfied. We know the government will not increase it even if we call on cocobod, however, we’re not happy at all.
Madam Ophelia Twumasi, the Treasurer of GNACOFA, also expressed her strong dissatisfaction with the government’s decision to purchase cocoa at the speculated price. She firmly believes that cocoa farmers deserve better treatment and insists that a bag of cocoa should be bought at GHc3000.
“We’re not too happy about the new price because, on the world market, one kilo of cocoa is selling at GHc3, 000 so we were expecting the Ghana government to buy a bag at GHc3000.
According to her, the government is not treating cocoa farmers fairly, which has led to many of them selling their farms to illegal miners known as galamseyers. Additionally, some farmers have resorted to cutting down trees to cultivate maize and other cash crops. This situation highlights the need for a more equitable and sustainable approach to cocoa farming.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/ Joseph Marfo
