President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced a further increase in the producer price of cocoa from GHS48, 000 to GHS49, 600 per tonne for the 2024/2025 cocoa season.
This comes barely three months after the cocoa sector regulator, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), in September, this year, announced a landmark rise in the cocoa producer price for the season under review, raising the price to GH¢48,000 per tonne.
That move marks a remarkable 129.36 per cent increase from last season’s opening price of GH¢20,928.00 per tonne or GH¢1,308.00 per 64kg bag.
“On the advice of the Producer Price Review Committee, I announce an increase of the producer price of cocoa from GHS48, 000 to GHS49, 600 per tonne, or from GHS3, 000 per bag to GHS3, 100 per bag,” he stated in a speech at the 40th National Farmers’ Day Awards and Dinner Night, in Accra.
He explained that the increment was in sync with the Government’s policy to ensure that as the market changed, there were periodic reviews to restore farmer incomes.
The Nana Akufo-Addo-led Administration has continuously affirmed its resolve to make life comfortable for cocoa farmers, explaining that the adjustments in the producer price hold the potential to reshape the cocoa industry.
The Government has said improving farmer livelihoods and addressing the chronic issues of cocoa smuggling across borders were some of its top priorities as the nation seeks to revamp the industry.
The 2024 National Farmers’ Awards saw Nana Owusu Achiaw, a 70-year-old farmer based in the Sekyere-Central District of the Ashanti Region, specialising in mixed farming, being named as the 2024 National Best Farmer.
He has more than four decades of farming experience, with more than 150 employees working on his large tract of land dedicated to animal husbandry, fish farming, vegetable, cereal and staple crop farming, plantation, agro-forestry and processing.
Nana Achiaw received GHS1 million as his prize, a category sponsored by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), and was recognised for his outstanding adherence to climate-smart agricultural and innovative practices.
The other award winners are Ransford Atiemo, National Best Farmer- Second Runner-up, who received a tractor with implements, as well as Nassam Fuseini, National Best Farmer-First Runner-up, who was also presented with a tractor, trailer, and sprayer.
Apostle Noah Obeng, the National Best Livestock Farmer; Stephen Addo, National Best Physically-Challenged Farmer; and Ernestina Osei-Tutu, National Best Female Farmer, each received GHS200, 000 as their prizes.
Mensah Weibukanga emerged as the Overall National Best Fisher, taking home a double cabin pick-up truck; while Ebenezer Dzikunu, National Best Fish farmer, Victoria Atsa, National Best Fish Processor, and Christopher Ackom National Best Marine Fisher, were also awarded for their efforts.
Nana Joojo Solomon emerged as the National Best Most Outstanding Personality for Sustainable Development of Artisanal Fishing, and received a double cabin truck; with Kwame Damoah, National Best Most Outstanding Fisheries Enforcement Officer, also taking home a double cabin kia truck.
Kwame Alex, the National Best Cocoa Farmer; Solomon Tohola, National Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer; Yaa Ajele, National Best Most Enterprising Cocoa Farmer; Victor Benefo, National Best Coffee Farmer; and Winifred Batabana, National Best Sheanut Picker, were also decorated for their outstanding farming practices.
President Nana Akufo-Addo lauded the outstanding farmers for their service to humanity.
He noted that by offering better and remunerative prices and policies, the Government was encouraging farmers to stay in the cocoa sector and invest in sustainable agricultural practices.
The Farmers’ Day celebration was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) on the theme: “Building Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food and Security”.
The sector Minister, Bryan Acheampong, as well as Madam Hawa Koomson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, gave speeches highlighting the Government’s programmes and policies to address hunger, and ensure food security.
