Amidst the shifting tides of the global cocoa market and domestic political cycles, cocoa farmers in the Ahafo Ano South-West District have sent a clear message to the state: the
industry needs legal permanence, not political promises.
At a high-level press conference in Mankranso, led by the 2025 National Best Cocoa Farmer, Mr. Edward Kwame Yeboah, a coalition of 160 farmers demanded a comprehensive Parliamentary Act to insulate the cocoa sector from "frequent policy shifts" that occur whenever a new government takes office.
1. The Case for a "Permanent Parliamentary Act"
Mr. Yeboah argued that while the current administration’s interventions—including the 70% automatic price adjustment and free fertilizer distribution—are transformative, they remain vulnerable to the whims of future leaders.
Why a Legal Framework is Necessary:
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Policy Continuity: Ensuring that programs like seedling supply and fertilizer subsidies do not vanish after an election.
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Non-Partisanship: Cocoa farmers are "non-partisan actors" who require a stable regime that treats them with impartiality, regardless of which party is in power.
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Economic Security: Protecting the farmer's share of international prices from political manipulation or "prejudice."
2. Patriotic Restraint Amidst "Wild Fluctuations"
Addressing the recent tensions over cocoa prices, the National Best Farmer urged his colleagues to exercise patience. He acknowledged that the current producer price is a reflection of declining global revenue and urged farmers to see their cooperation as an act of patriotism.
"We must remain patient for future increments promised by the government as international conditions improve. This restraint demonstrates our commitment to national development during a period of fiscal consolidation." — Mr. Edward Kwame Yeboah
3. Operational Challenges: The "Payment Gap"
The press conference also highlighted a critical bottleneck in the 2026 cocoa season: delayed payments.
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The Issue: Some farmers have reported waiting weeks for payment after their cocoa has been weighed and collected.
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The Call to Action: Mr. Yeboah appealed directly to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and their Purchasing Clerks to honor government directives on prompt payments, noting that delays create unnecessary hardship and mistrust.
4. Legitimate Representation vs. "Street Protests"
The 2025 National Best Farmer cautioned groups of farmers staging unauthorized demonstrations. He emphasized that:
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Negotiation Tables Exist: Legitimate farmer representatives are already part of the national price negotiation process.
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Communication is Key: Leaders must do a better job of explaining the outcomes of these high-level negotiations to their members to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The Bottom Line
The call from Mankranso is a plea for predictability. As Ghana moves toward its 2030 manufacturing targets—including processing all its cocoa locally—farmers are demanding that the foundation of the industry (the producers themselves) be protected by the law of the land, rather than just the manifesto of a party.
