The Sefwi Bekwai Cocoa Farmers Cooperative Union has raised urgent concerns over government pricing policies, alleging that inadequate prices are fueling cocoa smuggling across Ghana.
Issifu Issaka, President of the Union, in an interview on ABC IN THE MORNING on Wednesday emphasized the necessity for competitive pricing comparable to neighboring countries.
He criticized the disparity between promised and actual payments, lamenting that disillusioned farmers resort to selling to smugglers offering better deals.
“If we want this smuggling to stop, we have to ensure that cocoa farmer get a good price. At least a price that is same as neighboring countries.
“Either than that it will be difficult to fight smuggling of cocoa in this country.
Issaka’s sentiments reflect widespread frustration among cocoa farmers, who accuse the government of failing to fulfill its pledge to pay 70% of the Gross FOB price. Instead, farmers receive less than 50%, pushing many into the arms of smugglers.
Highlighting neighboring Côte d’Ivoire’s adaptation to higher global prices, Issaka stressed the need for Ghana to reconsider its pricing strategy to curb smuggling effectively.
Dr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, CEO of COCOBOD, acknowledged the severity of the issue, revealing that Ghana lost 120,000 metric tons of cocoa to smuggling in recent years.
Despite a substantial 129% increase in cocoa prices, farmers argue that more must be done to shield them from financial instability.
