Choicenewsonline Your Choice Is Here
The National President of the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA), Mr. Stephenson Anane Boateng, has strongly urged the government to involve cocoa farmers in the formulation of economic policies affecting the sector. He insists that farmers—who are the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa industry—must not be sidelined when major financial and policy decisions are made.
His statement follows the 2025 budget presentation by the Finance Minister, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, who revealed that Ghana’s cocoa sector is burdened with a GH₵32 billion debt (approximately $1.3 billion USD). This, Mr. Anane Boateng noted, means that cocoa farmers will ultimately bear the cost of repaying the debt, yet they have no voice in critical policy decisions regarding the industry’s future.
Cocoa Farmers Must Not Be Left Out of Policy Discussions
Mr. Anane Boateng lamented that cocoa farmers, who contribute significantly to the national economy, are consistently left out of major economic planning processes. He argued that if the government expects farmers to help clear the cocoa sector’s debt, then they must be included in all discussions and policies regarding the industry.
“Market women and traders will not pay this debt for us. It is cocoa farmers who will generate the income to clear this debt, so why should we be ignored in decision-making?” he questioned.
He further stated that cocoa farmers are the ones working on the farms, facing challenges such as low prices, high production costs, climate change, and delayed payments, yet policies are developed without their input.
“It is unacceptable that we, the people on the ground, are not consulted when policies are made. We are the ones who understand the realities of cocoa farming, and we should be part of the decision-making process,” he emphasized.
Farmers Will Not Benefit from 2025 Budget
According to Mr. Anane Boateng, the huge GH₵32 billion debt means cocoa farmers will not benefit from the 2025 budget. Instead of incentives, subsidies, or financial support, he believes all revenue from this year’s cocoa harvest will be used to settle outstanding debts.
“I do not believe that even the entire income from this year’s cocoa seeds can pay off this GH₵32 billion debt. That is why the government must involve us in all policy decisions. We need to find sustainable ways to protect the livelihoods of farmers while addressing the financial crisis in the cocoa sector,” he stated.
A Direct Appeal to President Mahama and the Agric Ministry
Mr. Anane Boateng directly appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Agriculture to set up a platform where cocoa farmers can participate in economic policy discussions. He believes that if farmers are given a seat at the table, they can contribute practical ideas that will help the government develop better policies to revive the sector.
“We, cocoa farmers, need our voices to be heard. We should not be treated as spectators in an industry that we sustain. The government must ensure that farmers are directly involved in decision-making,” he said.
Conclusion: Farmers Deserve Recognition in Decision-Making
As Ghana’s largest agricultural export, cocoa plays a crucial role in the country’s economy. However, excluding cocoa farmers from economic planning could worsen the challenges facing the sector, leading to low productivity, financial instability, and frustration among farmers.
Mr. Stephenson Anane Boateng’s call is a wake-up call to policymakers—if the government truly wants to secure the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry, it must recognize the voices of farmers and actively involve them in shaping policies that impact their livelihoods.
For further inquiries, Mr. Stephenson Anane Boateng can be contacted at:
0246363397 / 0246363397.
