The Initiatives for Development and Education Ghana (IDEGh) has thrown its support behind the Ghana Civil-Society Cocoa Platform’s (GCCP) call for a substantial 65% to 70% increase in the farm-gate price of cocoa, describing it as a “fair and necessary” compensation for the nation’s cocoa farmers. This endorsement comes at a critical time as Ghanaian cocoa farmers face mounting challenges, including financial instability, illegal mining and the pressures of climate change.
Gertrude Acquah, Head of Projects at IDEGh, made this statement during the stakeholder debriefing workshop that marked the conclusion of the first phase of IDEGh’s Community-led Biodiversity Improvement and Livelihood Transformation (CoBILT) Project. This project, which aligns with the Cocoa and Forest Initiative, is dedicated to reducing cocoa-driven deforestation while enhancing farmer livelihoods in the Central Region.
“The proposed 65% increase in the farm-gate price is not just fair—it’s essential,” Mrs. Acquah asserted, highlighting the severe economic hardships faced by cocoa farmers who have long been marginalized in the value chain. She also acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in securing funds for the upcoming cocoa season but urged the board to explore innovative financing methods that do not further burden these farmers.
“We are urging COCOBOD to rethink its strategy,” Mrs. Acquah stated. “It’s time to move away from the forward sales of cocoa and focus on improving storage and value addition within Ghana. This shift would not only stabilize the sector but also ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for the country’s cocoa industry.”
Mrs. Acquah’s remarks resonate with the sentiments expressed by many farmers present at the event. Clement Ebo Asase, a cocoa farmer, praised COCOBOD’s efforts to rehabilitate diseased farms and introduce productivity enhancement programs such as mass spraying, pruning, fertilizer subsidies, free seedlings, and hand pollination. However, he emphasized the importance of timely intervention. “When we get help on time, we can work effectively during the right season,” Asase noted. “This will also reduce the potential for favouritism in distributing resources, ensuring all farmers receive their share.”
The GCCP’s advocacy has been instrumental in amplifying the voices of Ghana’s cocoa farmers, who have historically been underrepresented in policy discussions. IDEGh’s endorsement of the proposed price increase and its call for systemic reforms underscore the organization’s commitment to creating lasting change in the cocoa sector.
As IDEGh continues its efforts to promote sustainable development and improve livelihoods through projects like CoBILT, the organization remains a vital advocate for the rights and well-being of Ghanaian farmers. Their endorsement of GCCP signals a united front in the ongoing fight for equitable treatment and economic justice for cocoa farmers across the country.
