The Ghana Chapter of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance of Africa has pushed back against calls for external financial support following the announcement of a new cocoa producer price for the 2025–2026 season, urging government to pursue domestic solutions instead.
In a press statement dated February 13, the group acknowledged the government’s decision to reduce the cocoa producer price to GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag, a move officials say is driven by global market trends and liquidity pressures within the sector. While recognizing the economic difficulties behind the adjustment, the Alliance warned against using the price reduction as justification for seeking an IMF bailout.
The farmers’ group said Ghana must avoid what it described as “external crutches” and focus on internal reforms and financing innovation to stabilize the cocoa industry.
Support for Local Financing and Reforms
The statement welcomed efforts by the Finance Ministry to introduce local cocoa bonds as an alternative funding model, describing it as a practical and home-grown approach to raising capital for the sector. The Alliance said it is encouraged by the proposal and is looking forward to its rollout.
It also endorsed ongoing discussions around structural reforms, including increased local processing of cocoa, but stressed that farmer welfare must remain central to any policy shift.
According to the group, reform efforts must directly confront operational inefficiencies, procurement concerns, and long standing mismanagement within the cocoa administration system. It called for stronger transparency and accountability measures to curb waste and corruption.
Position on Political and Market Reactions
The Alliance took note of calls from the parliamentary minority urging government to consider IMF intervention, but firmly rejected that path. It said such proposals are not acceptable and do not reflect the long term interest of cocoa farmers.
The group also appealed to traders and businesses across other sectors to reduce prices where possible, pointing to recent macroeconomic gains such as currency stability and easing inflation. It cited the petroleum sector as an example where some price adjustments have reflected changing conditions.
Call for Calm Among Farmers
The statement urged cocoa farmers nationwide to remain calm as authorities work through the current financial constraints affecting the sector. The Alliance pledged continued engagement with government but said it would oppose any measures that undermine farmer incomes and livelihoods.
The release was signed by Mark Ewusi Arkoh on behalf of the Ghana Chapter of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance of Africa.