‘Sustain existing cocoa producer price, pay arrears’ - Catholic Bishops tell Gov’t

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has expressed grave concern over what it describes as a deepening crisis in Ghana’s cocoa sector, warning of severe consequences for farmers and rural communities across the country.

In a press statement issued on Friday February 20 and signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Conference, the Bishops said prolonged delays in payment to cocoa farmers have compounded hardship and eroded confidence in the sector.

“For months, many farmers have endured delays in payment for cocoa already delivered, resulting in unpaid labour, disrupted schooling, mounting debt, and growing vulnerability to illegal mining,” the statement said.

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The Conference further criticised the recent reduction in the producer price, noting that it has intensified financial strain on farmers.

“The recent reduction in the producer price has further eroded confidence and intensified hardship,” the Bishops stated.

While acknowledging fluctuations in international market conditions, the Conference argued that farmers should not shoulder the full burden of systemic challenges within the sector.

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“We note that while international market conditions fluctuate, farmers must not bear the full burden of systemic and historical failures,” the statement said. “At the very least, existing producer prices should be sustained where increases are not feasible.”

The Bishops stressed that in previous years of windfall gains, producer prices were not raised proportionately and therefore called for accumulated surpluses to be used to cushion farmers during difficult periods.

“To penalise them for circumstances beyond their control would be insensitive and morally indefensible,” the statement added.

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The Conference also raised concerns about Ghana’s position in the global cocoa market, warning of increasing competition from other producing countries.

“Ecuador is on course to overtake Ghana as the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, while the combined output of Nigeria and Cameroon threatens to form a powerful third force,” the Bishops noted, adding that climate stress and land degradation from illegal mining place Ghana at a strategic crossroads..

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The Bishops called for the immediate payment of arrears owed to farmers, transparent financial restructuring of the Ghana Cocoa Board, sustained producer prices and intensified investment in productivity. They also urged a depoliticised national dialogue centred on farmers’ welfare, with greater emphasis on youth participation, research and local processing.

The Conference disclosed that a detailed pastoral letter on the cocoa crisis has been conveyed privately to President John Dramani Mahama and the leadership of Parliament for consideration and further action.