The Minority in Parliament has urged President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss Dr. Randy Abbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), citing a growing crisis in the cocoa sector.
According to the Minority, the recent reduction in the producer price of cocoa will have serious consequences for farmers and their families. They estimate the cut, approximately 28.6 percent, will adversely affect the livelihoods of over one million cocoa farmers nationwide.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Thursday, February 12, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, criticised the government’s decision.
“This places an unfair burden on our cocoa farmers, who are already struggling with rising costs. The Minority will not remain silent on this matter, and we are prepared to support farmers should they decide to protest against the reduction in the producer price,” he said.
The comments follow the government’s announcement of a new cocoa producer price of GH¢41,392 per tonne, or GH¢2,587 per bag, for the remainder of the 2025–2026 crop season, effective Thursday, February 12.
The revised price is a significant reduction from the initial rate of GH¢51,660 per tonne, which was set at the start of the season.
Earlier, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson explained that the adjustment was necessary due to changes in global cocoa market conditions. He said the measure is aimed at stabilising the sector, restoring confidence, and ensuring timely payments to farmers.
