Cocoa farmers in Ghana have been urged to remain united and resist attempts to politicize issues surrounding cocoa pricing, as the 2025 National Best Cocoa Farmer calls for calm, fairness, and national focus on the sustainability of the sector.
Addressing members of the media at Mankranso, the district capital of Ahafo Ano South West in the Ashanti Region, the 2025 National Best Cocoa Farmer, Edward Kwame Yeboah, emphasized that cocoa farmers are not politicians and should not be dragged into partisan debates over cocoa pricing.
Speaking passionately in Mankranso, Mr. Yeboah stated that while farmers are deeply concerned about the cocoa price structure and the so-called “price head cut,” the issue must be handled as a national economic matter rather than a political tool.
“Cocoa farmers are not politicians,” he stressed. “We are farmers who work hard to feed this country and support the economy. The cocoa price head cut must not be politicized.”
Mr. Yeboah warned that turning cocoa pricing into a political battleground risks dividing farming communities and undermining the unity required to strengthen the cocoa sector.
According to him, cocoa remains one of Ghana’s most critical foreign exchange earners, and decisions affecting farmers must be guided by transparency, fairness, and long-term sustainability.
He explained that farmers are primarily concerned about receiving fair compensation for their labour, rising input costs, and the impact of price adjustments on their livelihoods. However, he cautioned that framing such concerns in partisan language only distracts from meaningful dialogue.
“Cocoa is the backbone of many rural economies. When we politicize cocoa matters, we create unnecessary tension among farmers who should rather be united in demanding better conditions and productivity support,” he added.
The award-winning farmer noted that cocoa production involves immense sacrifice — from land preparation and pest control to harvesting and post-harvest handling.
He emphasized that farmers endure fluctuating weather patterns, high cost of agrochemicals, and labour challenges, yet remain committed to sustaining Ghana’s reputation as a leading cocoa producer.
He therefore appealed to political actors, commentators, and stakeholders to avoid using cocoa pricing discussions to score political points. Instead, he called for constructive engagement among government agencies, cocoa regulatory bodies, and farmer associations.
According to Mr. Yeboah, the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry depends not only on price stability but also on improved extension services, access to credit, disease control programmes, and incentives that motivate young people to venture into cocoa farming.
The 2025 National Best Cocoa Farmer reiterated that farmers’ concerns about the price head cut are legitimate and deserve attention. However, he insisted that the discussion must remain focused on solutions rather than political blame games.
He encouraged farmers across the country to stay calm and avoid being influenced by divisive rhetoric.
“Our concern is simple — fair pricing and sustainability. Let us protect the cocoa industry from unnecessary politics and focus on what benefits farmers and the nation as a whole,” he concluded.
Industry observers note that cocoa remains a pillar of Ghana’s agricultural economy, supporting millions of households directly and indirectly. Any instability within the sector could have far-reaching economic consequences.
Mr. Yeboah’s remarks have since sparked conversations among farmer groups, many of whom agree that depoliticizing cocoa matters will help create a more stable and predictable environment for production and marketing.
As debates over cocoa pricing continue, the call from the 2025 National Best Cocoa Farmer serves as a timely reminder that the strength of Ghana’s cocoa industry lies in unity, fairness, and national interest — not partisan division.
