A leading member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ellen Ama Daaku, has raised serious concerns about the social impact of the government’s recent cut in the cocoa producer price.
Speaking on the Morning Show on Angel TV on Tuesday morning, she said that many first-year (Level 100) students from cocoa-producing communities have not yet reported to school because families are struggling financially following the price adjustment.
Daaku’s comments highlighted the growing distress among rural households that depend heavily on cocoa income, warning that the cut is having knock-on effects beyond farming communities. According to her, the failure of students to return to tertiary institutions in cocoa belts is directly linked to decreased household purchasing power caused by the cocoa price shock.
“Most of these families are struggling to pay school fees and support their children because the cocoa price was cut,” she said during the interview.
Background:
The government earlier this month announced a reduction in the farmgate price of cocoa for the 2025/26 crop season — cutting the producer price from GH₵3,625 to GH₵2,587 per 64-kilogram bag. The price per metric tonne likewise dropped from GH₵58,000 to GH₵41,392, representing a significant loss of income on each bag for farmers and their families.
Officials said the adjustment was necessary due to a sharp decline in international cocoa prices and to ensure continued liquidity in the sector, but the move has drawn fierce criticism from farmers, political opponents, and community leaders.
Cocoa farmers and rural residents have voiced grave concerns that the lower prices will undermine livelihoods and jeopardise household welfare. Farmers in regions including Ashanti, Ahafo and Western North have said the reduced price threatens their ability to cover basic expenses such as food, healthcare and school fees.
Political figures from the opposition have also criticised the decision, calling it a political misstep that could cost the ruling NDC at the ballot box. They argue that removing income from cocoa-dependent families hits vulnerable populations hardest and jeopardises education, health and rural economic stability.
Cocoa remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy and rural employment, so any policy affecting producers resonates throughout local markets. Many farmers have expressed fear that without adequate income this season, investments in their farms and families — including children’s education — may be compromised.
Gov’t Shows No Sympathy For Cocoa Farmers – Ex-Info Minister
Ellen Ama Daaku’s remarks about absentee students underscore a broader anxiety that the cocoa price cut is already rippling beyond agricultural debate into social wellbeing.
Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have defended the pricing adjustment, emphasising measures aimed at long-term sustainability of the sector and better liquidity. They argue that aligning producer prices with global market realities is crucial to preventing payment delays and ensuring the cocoa value chain remains functional.
However, with farmers, families, and education advocates concerned about the immediate impacts, calls are mounting for targeted support to vulnerable households affected by the reform.