A Ghanaian cocoa farmer has gone viral after an impassioned video showed him fiercely criticizing the government’s recent 62.58% increase in cocoa producer prices.
The Finance Minister, during his announcement, revealed that cocoa will now sell at GH₵31,660 per tonne, alongside additional measures such as free fertilizer, farming equipment, and the introduction of a pension scheme for farmers. The government described this as a significant step toward improving farmer welfare and boosting productivity in the cocoa sector.
Farmer Extremely Angry over Finance Minister’s Increment of Cocoa price in Ghana
However, the farmer in the trending video expressed strong dissatisfaction, calling the increment “unfair” and inadequate in addressing the real struggles of cocoa farmers. Speaking with visible frustration, he argued that the rise does not match the skyrocketing cost of living or the grueling labor required to sustain cocoa production. “We work tirelessly under the sun and in the rain, yet what we get is not enough to survive,” he lamented.
Other details on Cocoa Prices in Ghana as announced by Finance Minister
He further accused authorities of failing to engage farmers before making such decisions, suggesting that policies affecting the sector often benefit middlemen and exporters more than the producers themselves. His criticism has sparked widespread conversation across social media, with many fellow farmers and citizens echoing his sentiments.
Supporters of the farmer’s view say the government’s price adjustment is overshadowed by the high cost of agricultural inputs, poor rural infrastructure, and fluctuating global cocoa prices. Meanwhile, others argue that the inclusion of free inputs and pension schemes marks progress and should be given time to yield results. The debate underscores the deep divide in how policies are perceived at the grassroots level versus official government communication.
The viral incident has brought fresh attention to Ghana’s cocoa sector, a key pillar of the national economy and a major source of livelihood for millions. As the conversation continues, stakeholders are urging government officials, farmer associations, and industry leaders to engage in constructive dialogue to ensure that price adjustments and incentive programs genuinely uplift the farmers who sustain Ghana’s cocoa legacy.
