By Nana Adu Koranteng
The newly announced producer price of cocoa—GHS per tonne—by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has sparked fears of increased cocoa smuggling across Ghana’s borders, especially into Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, where farmgate prices are reportedly over GHS 6,000.
Many cocoa farmers and stakeholders have described the pricing as a betrayal of trust and a breach of campaign promises. During the 2024 elections, then-opposition leader and now President John Dramani Mahama, along with key NDC officials, promised cocoa farmers that the party would raise the producer price to at least GHS 6,000 if elected into office. That pledge played a critical role in rallying farmer support in cocoa-growing regions such as Ashanti, Western North, and Eastern Regions.
However, just seven months into its administration, the NDC government has set the price nearly highly below the promised amount. This has triggered widespread dissatisfaction, with farmers and civil society groups accusing the government of acting in bad faith.
“Cocoa farmers feel cheated,” said Nana Kwabena Boateng, a cocoa farmer. “We were promised GHS 6,000 and above. Instead, we’re now being offered GHS 3,228 for a bag of cocoa Meanwhile, our brothers across the border are earning more. What motivation is there to sell here when smugglers offer better prices?”
Rising Smuggling Threat
Industry analysts warn that the price disparity could reignite cocoa smuggling along Ghana’s western and eastern borders—an issue that plagued the country in recent years when price gaps between Ghana and its neighbours widened.
Security sources in the border towns of Sefwi Wiawso and Aflao have confirmed increased surveillance amid concerns of organised cocoa smuggling rings becoming more active.
“The economics are simple,” one security officer noted. “If a farmer can earn more just by crossing the border, many will take that risk, especially if they believe they’ve been short-changed by their own government.”
Government Response
Officials from COCOBOD and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture have defended the price decision, citing global market fluctuations, increased cost of inputs, and ongoing repayment of cocoa syndicated loans inherited from the previous administration.
Political Fallout
The announcement risks becoming a major political liability for the Mahama administration. Critics within and outside the NDC say the broken cocoa price promise is the first major credibility test for the government’s relationship with the rural electorate.
Officials from the opposition New Patriotic Party, NPP have criticised the NDC government for deceiving Ghanaians and farmers . “You don’t lie to farmers and expect them to forget,” George Krobea Asante, Deputy Communications Director of NPP stated .
With the next cocoa season approaching and smuggling threats looming, the NDC government faces mounting pressure to revise the price upward or provide other incentives to discourage illegal trade and restore confidence among the country’s cocoa farmers.
