Would President Mahama have reduced cocoa prices if this were an election year ? – Annoh Dompreh asks

The Minority Chief Whip in Parliament, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has questioned whether President John Dramani Mahama would have reduced cocoa prices if this year were an election year, suggesting the move is politically motivated. His remarks reflect growing political debate over agricultural pricing policies and their potential impact on Ghana’s rural economy.

Speaking on Tuesday, April 7, during the Minority caucus’s tour of the Bono Region, Mr Annoh-Dompreh noted the recent reduction in cocoa prices and raised concerns about its timing. The Bono Region is one of Ghana’s key agricultural zones, with many farmers depending on cocoa production for their livelihoods.

“Would Mahama have reduced cocoa prices if this year were an election year? He thinks he can punish cocoa farmers during this period and when the election year comes, he gives them some small money to lure them to vote for his party,” he said. His comments suggest that pricing decisions may be influenced by electoral considerations rather than long-term economic planning.

The Minority Chief Whip further alleged that the President intends to increase cocoa prices during an election year to curry favor with farmers, portraying the pricing adjustments as a potential political strategy. Such claims add to longstanding concerns about the politicization of cocoa pricing in Ghana.

“This is about fairness and respect for the backbone of our economy. Cocoa farmers should not be subjected to arbitrary pricing that is driven by political calculations,” Mr. Annoh-Dompreh added. Cocoa remains one of Ghana’s top export commodities, and price changes directly affect millions of farmers and households.

The caucus’s tour of the Bono Region was aimed at engaging directly with farmers affected by the recent price changes and assessing the impact on their livelihoods. Interactions with farmers reportedly highlighted concerns about rising production costs, including fertilizers, labor, and transportation, which make lower cocoa prices more challenging to absorb.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh called on the government to adopt transparent and consistent cocoa pricing policies to protect farmers from what he described as politically motivated economic measures. Analysts say predictable pricing frameworks and stakeholder engagement are critical to sustaining confidence in Ghana’s cocoa sector.

The issue of cocoa pricing is typically managed through national regulatory bodies such as the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), which sets producer prices based on global market trends, exchange rates, and government policy decisions. Any perceived inconsistency or political interference, stakeholders argue, can have ripple effects on farmer productivity and national revenue.