‘We can’t survive’ — Atwima Mponua cocoa farmers protest price cut, delayed payments

Cocoa farmers in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region have staged a protest against the government over a reduction in cocoa producer prices and delayed payments for beans purchased over the past three months.

The farmers say the situation has become unbearable and are demanding immediate cash payment for their produce.

The protest follows a downward review of the cocoa producer price from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag for the 2025/2026 crop season.

According to the farmers, the new price does not reflect the rising cost of farming inputs and the general cost of living.

“At a time when the cost of living continues to rise, the new price does not reflect the sacrifices and rising production costs we endure,” some farmers lamented during the demonstration.

Government officials have attributed the price reduction to declining global cocoa prices and liquidity challenges in the cocoa sector.

However, the protesting farmers say the explanation is unacceptable, insisting that producers should not bear the full impact of global market fluctuations.

The farmers also expressed concern about delayed payments for cocoa beans supplied since November 2025, saying the situation has severely affected their livelihoods.

They say the delay has made it difficult to pay school fees, healthcare costs, and maintain their farms.

During the protest, some farmers warned that if the situation is not resolved quickly, they may hand over their cocoa farms to illegal small-scale miners, popularly known as galamsey operators, who are reportedly willing to offer immediate cash.

The petition was delivered by Nana Frimpong Manso, Chief Farmer of Nyinahin, and received on behalf of the DCE by the District Coordinating Director, who assured the farmers that their concerns would be forwarded to the President.

The Member of Parliament for Atwima Mponua and Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, Seth Osei Akoto, was also petitioned.

The MP expressed concern about the farmers’ situation and called on the government to settle the outstanding three months’ payments without further delay.