By King Amoah
In a significant boost to Ghana’s cocoa industry, the government has announced an increase in the price of a cocoa bag to GH₵3,000.00.
Chief Abdulai Mohammed, the chairman of the Mpasatia branch of the Council of Northerners Chief Association in an exclusive telephone interview, hailed this decision as “good news” for cocoa farmers across the country.
Chief Abdulai Mohammed is a prominent cocoa farmer and also doubles as the Zongo chief of Mpasatia in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti region.
According to him the increase of cocoa is expected to provide some relief to farmers who have long been struggling with the economic challenges associated with cocoa production.
He acknowledged that while this price hike is a step in the right direction, it also comes with its own set of challenges.
He pointed out that such an increase could inadvertently could lead to higher prices for commodities throughout the country, raising concerns about inflation and its impact on everyday consumers.
“Whenever fuel prices are increased, the prices of other commodities follow suit,” he noted, drawing a parallel between the cocoa price hike and the effects of fuel price increases on the economy.
However, Chief Abdulai raised critical issues that remain unaddressed, which could hinder the sector’s growth.
He questioned the number of individuals who truly own cocoa farms in Ghana, suggesting that many who are engaged in cocoa farming might actually lack ownership of the land due to various socioeconomic factors.
He also pointed to the dangerous practices of some farmers using harmful chemicals on their crops, which ultimately leads to the destruction of cocoa trees and reduces the yield.
The chief underscored the dire threat posed by illegal mining activities, which have devastated large swathes of farmland and disrupted local economies.
This ecological degradation, he argues, compromises Ghana’s reputation as a leading cocoa producer.
He expressed concern over the indiscriminate use of chemical products from external manufacturers, particularly from China, that have been introduced into the cocoa farming ecosystem without proper testing or regulation.
“These chemicals often harm our crops, reducing their productivity and quality,” said Chief Abdulai.
The urgency of the matter extends beyond price increases, as it calls for a holistic approach to address the underlying challenges facing cocoa farmers.
He also mentioned high cost of labor, chemicals used to manage cocoa farms among other associated challenges, the current price increase is nothing to write home about.
Chief Abdulai appealed to the government to resist the temptation of raising taxes as a response to the newfound increase in cocoa prices.
Instead, he urged the authorities to focus on importing legitimate agricultural chemicals that comply with safety standards, ultimately reviving the declining cocoa sector.
It is clear that while the government’s decision to raise cocoa prices is a victory for farmers, it also highlights the pressing need for comprehensive policies that address the myriad issues plaguing the agricultural sector, Chief Abdulai stated
