Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, has told the John Mahama-led government to use funds allocated for the presidential jet to pay cocoa farmers.
It will be recalled that Parliament has approved a Sixty Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars (US$60,680,000.00) contract for the purchase of a Falcon 6X aircraft for the air force.
According to Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the US$60,680,000.00 allocated for the purchase of a Falcon 6X aircraft for the air force should rather be used to pay cocoa farmers.
The minority leader is quoted by The1957News to have said, “Use funds allocated for the presidential jet to pay cocoa farmers instead”.
Also, Metro TV quoted in a news flyer saying, “Presidential Jet Funds Should Go to Cocoa Farmers”.
Additionally, Afenyo-Markin has vowed that the minority caucus this week will force the NDC government to pay cocoa farmers what is due them.
According to Afenyo-Markin, cocoa farmers are more concerned about receiving their earnings than policy pronouncements and big English on social media.
The minority leader also declared that this week in parliament, it will be a scene to behold.
Speaking at the Thanksgiving Ceremony of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday, February 15, 2026, Afenyo-Markin stated, “Cocoa farmers were being paid GH¢3,625 per bag. Today, the NDC government has reduced the price to GH¢2,587”
“What I want every NPP member to tell the NDC government is that it is not all about speaking very big English on social media and hiding behind CSOs. The cocoa farmers want their money, so pay them,” he stated.
The minority leader added, “So, this week, for us, the Minority, it will be a scene to behold in Parliament. They must pay the cocoa farmers”.
They will try to divide us and come with all manner of arrests. When their back is against the wall, they will come out with arrest, please. If you are a politician and you are arrested, it is not a sin. Let us remain focused behind Dr Bawumia and win power in 2028. Don’t let them intimidate you with arrest”.
The minority leader’s remarks follow, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who announced a revised cocoa price of 64kg cocoa bag from GHS 3,625 to GHS 2,587 for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.
According to Ato Forson, the decision comes after the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), under his chairmanship, convened earlier in the day to assess the challenges facing the Cocoa sector.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, February 12, Dr Forson disclosed, “The PPRC has recommended that the farmer be paid 90% of the achieved gross fob of USD 4,200 per tonne”.
He added that the committee set the new producer price at GH₵41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH₵2,587 per bag, effective immediately.
“As a result of that, the PPRC thereby announces that effective today, Thursday, 12th February, 2026, the new producer price for the remainder of the 2025, 2026 crop season will now be GH 41, 392 per tonne and 2,587 per bag,” he noted.
“This measure is necessary to enable the expedited payment of farmers and to guarantee the sustainability of our cocoa industry,” he said.
See the post below:
Use funds allocated for the presidential jet to pay cocoa farmers instead — Alexander Afenyo-Markin tells government. pic.twitter.com/O0imbK6WBh
— The1957News (@The1957News) February 15, 2026
Presidential Jet Funds Should Go to Cocoa Farmers, Afenyo-Markin Tells Government#MetroNews #metrotvonline pic.twitter.com/B0j6puqdb8
— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) February 15, 2026