Cocoa farmers in the Western North Region are protesting the John Mahama government’s decision to reduce the price of a 64kg cocoa bag from GHS 3,625 to GHS 2,587 for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.
It will be recalled that Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, announced the decision, noting that it came after the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), under his chairmanship, convened earlier in the day to assess the challenges facing the Cocoa sector.
Farmgate prices of cocoa have also been cut from GHC58,000 to GHC41,392 per tonne.
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.
However, the Cocoa farmers in Western North are having none of that, protesting against the new price.
According to them,, they are suffering and want the old price restored.
In a video shared by UTV, the Western North cocoa farmers were spotted dressed in red, holding placards saying, “Mahama is dangerous than Ebola”, “Farmers lives matter”
Speaking during the Western North Farmers protest, one of the farmers stated, “As I am standing here, I look after my children’s school, and I use my cocoa to look after my children now that you have reduced the price of cocoa…, My child is going to the university, I have to pay 5000 cedis, now that the price have been reduced where will I get the money from to look after my children. Even what to eat has become very difficult for us”.
Another protester added, “The Government did not respect us at all, now they have reduced the price of cocoa, and we have already done our budget. Now that they have reduced the price, how are we going to get money? What the government did is not good; they should look for something better to tell us.
Meanwhile, Reports by Reuters suggest the Ivory Coast is considering reducing its guaranteed farm gate price paid to its cocoa farmers.
According to the reports, the Ivory Coast plans to reduce its farm gate price to align with Ghana’s 28.6% price cut.
Ghana and the Ivory Coast, the world’s two largest cocoa producers, are grappling with a deepening crisis in the sector.
The information gathered suggests that senior Ivorian officials are considering whether to follow Ghana’s recent decision to cut its producer price by 28.6% for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season.
A senior Ivorian official told Reuters, “We have put all options on the table, and discussions are progressing well. Courageous and realistic decisions will be taken soon. We must think about the survival of the cocoa sector in the Ivory Coast. We need to act; changes are underway,”
Executive Secretary of ICCIG, Alex Assanvo, asserted that both countries are adapting to the sudden market downturn by taking measures to prevent long-term damage to the sector.
Also, exporters and buyers expect the Ivory Coast to announce a price cut soon, noting that it is just a matter of time.
Alex Assanvo stated, “The organisation remains mobilised to coordinate policies in both countries”
“The country is resisting, but for how long? I don’t see Ivory Coast doing something different from Ghana,” the head of an Abidjan-based export company stated.
The report added that the inter-ministerial committee has reportedly met to assess the situation, with a decision expected to be announced soon.
Watch the video below:
We Are Suffering! Restore Cocoa Prices Now’ – Western North Farmers Protest#UTVGhana pic.twitter.com/61cBPSD6rm
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) February 19, 2026