The GCCP described the action as both "misleading" and "insufficient" to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers in the country.

Speaking at a press conference organised by GCCP in Accra, Mr. Issaka Issifu, a member of the GCCP, stated that while the headline price of USD $5,040 per metric tonne may appeared generous when compared to the previous season's $3,100, a closer look at the figures in the local currency revealed a different picture.

He said the real increase stood at a marginal 4.1 per cent, which was from GH¢3,100 to GH¢3,228.75 per 64kg bag.

"Within the context of Ghana's ongoing economic challenges, this increment remains insufficient to transform the livelihoods of cocoa farmers meaningfully," he added.

Mr. Issifu, who doubles as the President of Ghana Cocoa Cooperative Association (GCCA), further questioned the pricing methodology used by the government, raising alarms over a shift from previous commitments.

He said both the President and Minister for Agriculture had previously assured cocoa farmers that they would receive 70 per cent of the global market price.

However, he said the latest figures appeared to be based on the Free on Board (FOB) price, which was significantly lower, sparking allegations of inconsistency and lack of transparency in price-setting mechanisms.

Mr. Issifu said cocoa farmers continued to suffer escalating production costs due to expensive inputs, labour, and operations, climate change impacts, including erratic weather patterns and worsening crop diseases like black pod and smuggling and market instability, driven by cross-border price disparities.

He said the GCCP welcomed the government's reintroduction of support measures such as input supplies and productivity enhancement initiatives, cautioning against the politicisation of these programs, and citing past instances of interference by party operatives at the community and district levels.

Mr. Issifu commended the commitment to launching the Ghana Cocoa Traceability System, a crucial step toward compliance with the European Union Deforestation Requlation, effective by the end of 2025.

"That said, GCCP is concerned that many farmers remain uninformed and unprepared, which could undermine their ability to comply and benefit," he stressed.
He urged the government to implement mid-term price reviews, support local license buying companies, tackle structural challenges, invest in farmer education, and improve rural infrastructure.

Mr. Issifu reaffirmed the GCCP's commitment to advocating for cocoa farmers' rights and promoting policies that supported sustainable development across the sector.

"We stand ready to collaborate with government and stakeholders to address systemic issues and secure a dignified, viable future for Ghana's cocoa farmers," he stressed.

The GCCP is an independent campaign and advocacy platform comprising civil society actors in the cocoa sector, including Non-Governmental Organisations, farmer associations, and community organisations.

Their mission is to advocate for and influence cocoa sector policies to improve the livelihoods of farmers across Ghana.