The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has challenged the government’s decision to set the producer price of cocoa at GH¢2,650 per 64-kilogramme bag for the 2026/27 crop season, describing the price as inadequate and allegedly contrary to the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182).
In a statement issued on Monday, September 28, 2026, the party said the new price represented an increase of only GH¢63, or 2.4 percent, over the GH¢2,587 per bag that prevailed after the government’s reduction of the 2025/26 producer price in February.
The NPP argued that Section 57 of Act 1182 requires the producer price for a crop season to be at least 70 percent of the Gross Free-on-Board (FOB) price realised by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
According to the party, the government’s claim that GH¢2,650 represents 71.18 percent of the Gross FOB price would imply a realised FOB price of approximately US$5,180 per tonne.
The NPP, however, said international cocoa prices over the past three months had ranged between US$5,500 and more than US$6,000 per tonne. It further questioned whether the US$400 per tonne Living Income Differential (LID) paid by buyers of Ghanaian cocoa had been included in the government’s calculation.
Using an assumed cocoa price of US$5,500 per tonne, an exchange rate of GH¢11.50 to the US dollar and the LID, the party calculated a statutory minimum producer price of approximately GH¢2,968.44 per bag.
On that basis, it claimed that the announced price represented a shortfall of about GH¢318.44 per bag.
The party said the government should publish the full calculation used to arrive at the GH¢2,650 price, including COCOBOD’s realised Gross FOB price, details of forward contracts for the 2026/27 season, the treatment of the LID and the exchange rate applied.
Dispute over February price reduction
The NPP also renewed its criticism of the government’s decision in February 2026 to reduce the 2025/26 producer price from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per bag.
The party described the reduction as arbitrary and unlawful, arguing that the producer price announced at the beginning of the season was intended to operate as a guaranteed minimum throughout the crop year.
It said the February reduction was made without consultation with cocoa farmers, Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and other stakeholders.
The NPP further maintained that farmers affected by the reduction were owed the difference between the original announced price and the reduced price.
Concerns over outstanding payments
The opposition party also raised concerns about reported arrears in the cocoa sector.
It cited a recent report by the Chamber of Cocoa Marketers that cocoa beans delivered to COCOBOD during the 2025/26 crop year, reportedly valued at about GH¢4 billion, remained unpaid.
The NPP questioned whether COCOBOD would have sufficient financing to pay farmers and Licensed Buying Companies promptly during the 2026/27 season, pointing to reported delays in payments during late 2025 and early 2026.
NPP demands review
The party called on the government to review the GH¢2,650 producer price and bring it into compliance with Section 57 of Act 1182.
It also demanded the immediate payment of amounts it says were withheld following the February 2026 price reduction, the settlement of outstanding arrears to farmers and Licensed Buying Companies, and the publication of a financing plan to guarantee timely payment for cocoa purchased during the new season.
The statement was signed by Isaac Yaw Opoku, MP, and George Oduro, Co-Chairs, and Michael Kwasi Boahen Aidoo, Spokesperson.
The NPP said cocoa farmers were entitled to a transparent pricing system, timely payments and a producer price consistent with the law.
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
