New cocoa price increment has shattered Mahama’s presidential ambitions – Presidential Staffer

Assistant Technical Officer at the office of the President, Samuel Bryan Buabeng has opined on how the increment in farm-gate price of cocoa is affecting the political fortune of former President John Dramani Mahama.

President Akufo-Addo on Saturday, September 9, during the opening of the 2023/2024 cocoa season at Tepa in the Ashanti region, announced an increase from the previous price of GHS800 to GHS1,308.

This increase, according to Mr. Bryan Buabeng, has trashed the NDC flagbearer’s plan to become president again.

In a tweet on Thursday, September 14, the Presidential staffer noted that farmers and many who have connections to the cocoa value chain like himself are happy about the increment.

“The notable surge in cocoa prices has thwarted Mr. Mahama's aspirations to return to the Jubilee House. As someone connected to the cocoa value chain, I deeply recognize the tremendous impact this has on farming communities and their families,” he wrote.

He told Mr. Mahama that “Expressing gratitude to President Nana Akufo-Addo [due to the price increment] is certainly appropriate.”

Mr. Mahama and the NDC have kicked against the new cocoa price, noting that the government has short-changed cocoa farmers.

According to them, the new international market price of cocoa is way beyond what government has given to the farmers.