The Cocoa Development Advocacy Platform (CDAP) has called on the government to decisively address the widening price gap between Ghanaian and Ivorian cocoa farmers, warning that the disparity could fuel cross-border smuggling.This the platform said could threaten the country's cocoa sector.According to a statement by CDAP, while cocoa prices in Côte d'Ivoire stood at the equivalent of GH¢3,113 per bag at the end of 2024 just GH¢13 higher than Ghana's GH¢3,100.Meanwhile, the West African neighbour has since raised its farm gate price to GH¢3,767.29 per bag.This, the association believe has created a sharp price difference of GH¢667.29 incentivising Ghanaian cocoa farmers to smuggle their produce across the border in search of better earnings."This development threatens the integrity of Ghana's cocoa value chain and risks undermining the country's cocoa revenue base.
We urge the government to act swiftly and decisively to protect the livelihoods of our farmers and the future of our cocoa industry,"The platform is also calling on government to fulfil its longstanding commitment to pay farmers 70 per cent of the prevailing world market price for cocoa.When combined with the $25 Living Income Differential (LID) per bag, CDAP argues this would ensure farmers receive a fair and sustainable farm gate price of approximately GH¢6,000 per bag.According to CDAP such a pricing model is essential for addressing the deep-seated issues of poverty and exploitation within Ghana's cocoa sector.The group also warned that failure to act could result in broader social and economic consequences, including declining productivity, rural poverty, and increased rural-urban migration.CDAP stressed that the current disparities in pricing have already led to rampant smuggling, which erodes state revenue and undermines the long-term viability of the cocoa sector. BY TIMES REPORTER
