📽️ Video Insight: Mz-Angie Shimmer

"This viral commentary by Mz-Angie Shimmer exposes the raw frustration of cocoa farmers facing the 2026 price adjustments."

Source: Shimmer (2026)

Ghana’s cocoa sector is often described as the backbone of the rural economy. Cocoa is a major foreign exchange earner, a source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of farming families, and a commodity that shapes the nation’s identity. Yet, recent developments involving the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have sparked widespread frustration among farmers and heated debate in political circles.

The Latest Price Cut: What Happened?

In February 2026, the government announced a reduction in the official producer price for cocoa for the 2025/26 crop season. The price was reset to GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag (equivalent to GH¢41,392 per tonne), down from GH¢3,625 per bag earlier in the crop year.

Officials explained that this decision was driven by a sharp fall in global cocoa prices, which have slid to around $4,000 per metric tonne—roughly half their level from a year ago. COCOBOD argues that aligning prices more closely with global markets is necessary to restore competitiveness and ease liquidity pressures.

Producer Price Comparison (2025 vs. 2026)

Data Source: Ghana Cocoa Board Official Adjustment, 2026

Hardship on the Ground

For farmers, the price cut is far more than a statistic. As Mz-Angie Shimmer (2026) vividly illustrates, thousands are still owed payments for cocoa they delivered months ago, delaying cash for food, education, and farm reinvestment. Many report unsold stocks piling up at farms and ports, with Licensed Buying Companies halting operations.

Cocoa contributes roughly 3.5% of Ghana’s GDP and about 25% of total export receipts. Despite these figures, the average cocoa farmer may earn only a few dollars per day, highlighting the gap between cocoa’s value and farmers’ earnings.

Local Processing: A Shield for Livelihoods

A central pillar of the proposed reforms is the shift from exporting raw beans to processing at least 50% of Ghana's cocoa crop locally. This strategy is designed to move the industry up the value chain, creating a "shield" against global price volatility. Converting beans into butter, liquor, or powder allows Ghana to capture higher margins that remain resilient even when raw prices plunge.

Furthermore, increased local processing can address the liquidity crisis by providing an immediate domestic market, ensuring cash flows back to farm families faster and creating secondary wealth through rural job opportunities.

What is your take on the Cocoa Paradox?

Is a shift to 50% local processing enough to protect our farmers, or do we need a complete overhaul of how COCOBOD operates?

Join the conversation below! We want to hear your thoughts on how Ghana can better support its farmers.