Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged the government to urgently clear outstanding payments owed to cocoa farmers, warning that producers are struggling and have little patience for policy explanations without cash to back them.
Addressing party supporters at the Thanksgiving Ceremony of the New Patriotic Party on Sunday, February 15, 2026, the Effutu MP said Ghana’s cocoa farmers are facing a deepening crisis, largely driven by prolonged delays in payments and recent pricing decisions by the government.
His comments come at a time when cocoa farmers across the country have raised concerns about months-long delays in receiving payment for cocoa beans already supplied, putting pressure on household incomes and farm operations in cocoa-growing communities.
Recently, the government announced reforms in the cocoa sector, including a downward adjustment in the producer price for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season. The revised price was set at GH¢41,392 per tonne, or GH¢2,587 per bag—equivalent to 90 per cent of the achieved gross Free On Board (FOB) price of $4,200 per tonne. Government officials say the move is meant to shield farmers from declining global cocoa prices and stabilize the sector.
But Mr. Afenyo-Markin strongly disagreed, arguing that the reduction has worsened the economic hardship of farmers.
“Cocoa farmers were being paid GH¢3,625 per bag. Today, under the NDC government, that price has been cut to GH¢2,587,” he told the gathering.
According to him, the problem is not about messaging or public justification, but about livelihoods.
“It is not about speaking big English on social media or hiding behind civil society organisations. The cocoa farmers want their money. Pay them,” he said, drawing applause from party members.
He further claimed that farmers are recording losses under the new pricing regime and warned that the Minority Caucus would take the issue to the floor of Parliament of Ghana.
“This week will not be business as usual,” he cautioned. “For us in the Minority, it will be a scene to behold. They must pay the cocoa farmers.”
Cocoa remains a major foreign exchange earner for Ghana, and analysts warn that persistent payment delays and pricing disputes could undermine production, farmer confidence, and the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Source: Africa Publicity
