Akufo-Addo Welcomes Mahama’s Plan to Increase Cocoa Bag to ¢6K
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has welcomed plans by the incoming government to increase the price of cocoa for the benefit of farmers across the country.
In his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on January 3, 2025, he referenced a promise by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during their political campaign to increase the price of cocoa from the current GH¢3,100 per bag to GH¢6,000.
This step, he sarcastically remarked, would make farmers elated.
“We were told by the Minority Leader on the campaign trail, and in the presence of the now President-Elect, that my successor will increase the price per bag of cocoa from the current three thousand, one hundred cedis (GH¢3,100) to six thousand cedis (GH¢6,000). Our farmers will be very happy when this pledge is realised.”
He, however, touted the performance of the cocoa sector under his administration.
“Our cocoa sector has witnessed remarkable improvements, with productivity increasing from an average of four hundred and fifty kilogrammes (450kg) per hectare to eight hundred kilogrammes (800kg) per hectare, making Ghana a leader in sustainable cocoa production.”
“The Living Income Differential policy, a policy agreed to by President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire and myself, under the aegis of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between our two countries, which is a fixed premium of four hundred US dollars ($400) per tonne, added to the selling price of cocoa beans, irrespective of fluctuations in market prices, ensured that our hardworking cocoa farmers receive a fairer share of the global value chain, indeed receiving the highest prices in the history of the cocoa industry in Ghana.”
Source: opemsuo.com /Hajara Fuseini
