Price difference of Cocoa between Ghana & the Ivory Coast is now GHC700, farmers will be sneaking to the Ivory Coast to sell their cocoa – Andrew Bediako
Price disparity between Ghana and neighboring Ivory Coast is driving a wave of cocoa smuggling in the border districts of Ghana, particularly in Jaman South.
According to Hon. Andrews Bediako, the former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jaman South, local farmers will be sneaking across the border to sell their cocoa in Ivory Coast, where prices are reportedly GHC700 higher per bag than in Ghana.
Speaking on Kessben FM, Hon. Bediako criticized the Ghanaian government’s cocoa pricing strategy, arguing that the failure to significantly increase the producer price of cocoa has left Ghanaian farmers feeling short-changed and unmotivated.
“The price of cocoa in the Ivory Coast is about GHC700 more than in Ghana. So what do you expect? Farmers here in Jaman South are simply taking their cocoa across the border to sell. It’s simple economics,” he said.
Farmers in Ghana have long called for better cocoa prices, citing rising costs of living, fertilizer, labor, and inputs. With global cocoa prices reaching record highs in recent months due to poor harvests in West Africa and rising demand, farmers expected a more significant upward adjustment in local prices.
However, many believe that the government failed to adequately respond to this opportunity.
The growing trend of cross-border smuggling raises serious concerns for both Ghana’s economy and national security. Cocoa is a key export earner for the country, and losses through unregulated exports can significantly affect foreign exchange revenues and the ability of COCOBOD to support the sector.
Security personnel along the borders now face the challenge of policing a surge in informal cocoa movement, often facilitated by local knowledge of porous crossing points.
Hon. Bediako urged the government to quickly review cocoa prices and implement a more competitive pricing mechanism to prevent further smuggling and ensure that Ghanaian farmers are not discouraged.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
