Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has refuted recent claims circulating in the media regarding the announcement of the producer price for the upcoming 2025/2026 cocoa season. Dr. Randy Abbey, leading the organization, clarified that no decision has been made as of yet. The board of directors has not been constituted, a prerequisite for determining the price. Additionally, the Producer Price Review Committee is not yet established, further complicating the situation.
In a statement released by the Public Affairs Department on April 9, the public was urged to disregard any rumors or news suggesting a set producer price for cocoa. Despite reports speculating that the government would maintain the current price of GHc3,100 per 64kg bag, in line with Cote d’Ivoire’s recent increase, COCOBOD has not made any official declarations.
Dr. James Kutoati, acting Deputy Chief Executive of COCBOD, emphasized the need for careful consideration of the operational and financial implications before finalizing any price adjustments. The decision to maintain the current price is a strategic move, considering possible smuggling activities due to the disparity with neighboring countries.
This response comes after a similar incident earlier this year, when Minister for Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku allegedly announced a price increase, which was promptly denied by COCOBOD. The organization continues to stress the importance of proper protocol and transparency in determining the cocoa producer price for the upcoming season.