The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association has accused the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) of unfair treatment and poor engagement with farmers, amid concerns over delayed payments and falling global cocoa prices.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (4 February), the association’s president, Stephenson Anane Boateng, said cocoa farmers should not bear the brunt of market downturns when they had previously not benefited fully from price booms.
“The price dropping is not a cocoa farmer’s problem,” Boateng said. “We are the producers. Government says we cannot sell to anybody except COCOBOD. So they must manage the business properly.”
He argued that when international prices surged in previous years, farmers did not receive proportional benefits.
“When cocoa was selling around $12,000 per tonne, farmers were being paid about $2,000. Where did the rest go?” he questioned. “Now that prices have reduced, you cannot come back and say farmers should suffer.”
Boateng described it as unfair to consider reducing producer prices while other costs within COCOBOD remain unchanged.
“If the cocoa price is reduced, then they should also reduce COCOBOD workers’ salaries. That is the fair deal,” he said.
He also criticised what he called a lack of communication from both COCOBOD and government, claiming several letters sent by farmer groups have gone unanswered.
“Since November to date, we haven’t heard anything. No proper meetings, no explanation,” he said. “COCOBOD disrespects farmers.”
Boateng added that while farmers are largely private operators and not a single unified body, associations continue to push for recognition and structured engagement with authorities.
He stopped short of announcing protests but signalled that farmers may consider further action if concerns remain unresolved.
“We will decide what to do and let them know. We are the ones who bring them to power,” he said.
The remarks highlight growing tensions between cocoa producers and the regulator at a time when Ghana’s cocoa sector is grappling with financing challenges and volatile international prices.
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