Cocoa price reduction: Clerks cry over attacks by farmers, describes reduction as scam

Some cocoa clerks and farmers in the Upper West Akyem Municipality of the Eastern Region have been counting their losses since the reduction of cocoa prices by the government.

The clerks, who have already borrowed money to procure cocoa beans due to delays in government funding and have procured some beans at the old prices, say it would be difficult to offset the difference with their banks.

Others revealed that some cocoa farmers continue to attack them, insisting they will not sell their cocoa at the current price.

They want the government to intervene in cushioning the cocoa clerks and farmers, else many businesses and homes will collapse as a result of the reduction.

They spoke to colleague Maxwell Kudekor on the sidelines of a press conference organised in Koforidua.

According to the clerks, the problems started around November 2025, when delays in the release of funds made it extremely difficult for them to raise capital to purchase cocoa from farmers.

Some concerned cocoa farmers in the Eastern Region are also expressing their frustration over the situation.

They said the government has shortchanged them.

“We came out in our numbers to vote for you in the 2024 election because you promised to pay Ghc 6500 per bag of cocoa. Today, have slashed what you inherited from Ghc 3,635 to Ghc 2,587. If this is not a scam, then what else?” a farmer lamented.

The farmers want government to reinstate them to the previous price of Ghc 3,625 in order to save the situation.