The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has released a pastoral letter dated 17th of February, 2026 calling on the president of Ghana, John Drama Mahama to consider some immediate and strategic actions to help address the rapid decline of cocoa price in the country.
This letter was release in response to a public announcement made by the government on February 12, 2026 on the reduction of producer price from GH₵3,625 to GH₵2,587 per bag.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference saw the decision of the cut to having a significant negative effect because beneficiaries were still waiting for outstanding payment.
“Coming amid arrears, the cut eroded trust and magnified insecurity among those who have already borne disproportionate risk, the letter said”.
The Bishops expressed the worries and challenges of the citizens where some cocoa farmers battling with paying school fees and medical bill, farm laborers not being paid and the most alarming is where some have conceived the idea of selling their lands to illegal mining operators due to the prolonged delays in cocoa payment.
The bishops grieved over the rapid decline of the Ghana cocoa trade because of the competition at the global market coupled with illegal mining activities that destroying the lands. Which is costing Ghana to lose her place as second largest cocoa producing country to Ecuador in the global market. Stating that government must endeavor to take strategic reform and renew their investment.
Price justice and moral accounting was called for from the Ghana Cocoa Board to use stipulated surpluses accumulated during the period of high global cocoa prices to cushion farmers in times of international decline since producer prices were not proportionately increased by the state during high global prices.
By Sr. Esther Kutie, SVI (Sister Communicator)
