“Cocoa Farmers Want Their Money, Pay Them” — Afenyo-Markin to Govt

Minority Leader and Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Member of Parliament for Effutu, has called on the government to immediately settle outstanding payments owed to cocoa farmers, stressing that producers are more concerned with receiving their earnings than policy announcements.

The comments come amid mounting frustration in Ghana’s cocoa sector, where farmers have faced months of delayed payments.

Criticism of Price Reduction

The government recently implemented reforms for the 2025/2026 crop season, reducing the producer price to GH¢41,392 per tonne (GH¢2,587 per bag), equivalent to 90% of the achieved gross FOB price of $4,200 per tonne, citing falling global cocoa prices as justification.

Speaking at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Thanksgiving Ceremony on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Mr. Afenyo-Markin criticised the reduction, arguing it worsens farmers’ financial plight.

“Cocoa farmers were being paid GH¢3,625 per bag. Today, the NDC government has reduced the price to GH¢2,587,” he said, adding that the problem goes beyond communication or public relations.

“What I want every NPP member to tell the NDC government is that it is not all about speaking very big English on social media and hiding behind CSOs. The cocoa farmers want their money, so pay them,” he insisted.

Parliamentary Escalation

Mr. Afenyo-Markin warned that the Minority Caucus would push the issue in Parliament, noting that farmers are incurring significant losses under the revised pricing regime.

“So, this week, for us, the Minority, it will be a scene to behold in Parliament. They must pay the cocoa farmers,” he added.