Cocoa Arrears: Blame game will not solve the problem – Professor Bokpin

Economist and policy analyst, Professor Godfred Bokpin, has called on the government to stop the blame game over cocoa arrears and instead focus on finding practical solutions to address the challenges facing cocoa farmers.

Speaking during a discussion on the issue on Accra-based Joy News, Professor Bokpin said arguing over whether the current or previous government is responsible for the problem will not help farmers who are already struggling.

According to him, governments inherit both assets and liabilities when they take office, and while they often take credit for the assets, they are quick to shift blame for the liabilities.

“Government inherits assets and liabilities. We praise the assets but try to find excuses when it comes to liabilities,” he said.

Professor Bokpin explained that cocoa, like gold, is sold on the international market, and Ghana does not control its price.

He noted that the country only controls production and quantity, while prices are determined globally.

He warned successive governments against politicising commodities such as cocoa, gold, and other export products, saying changes in international prices can easily expose the economy to serious challenges.

According to him, the revenue from cocoa sales in dollars, when converted using the exchange rate, should be enough to pay farmers.

However, fluctuations in global prices and the exchange rate have created a gap between what farmers are promised and what the government earns from cocoa exports.

He pointed out that Ghana is currently paying farmers based on a cocoa price of about $5,500 per tonne, while the international market price has dropped to around $4,300 per tonne, creating a shortfall of more than $1,200 per tonne.

Professor Bokpin said the real issue now is how the government plans to close this gap to ensure farmers are paid fairly.

He suggested that the government could explore options such as using reserves, borrowing, delaying payments, or negotiating new payment arrangements with farmers to manage the situation.

“At the end of the day, the farmer is the one suffering. Whether it is the past government or the current government, the farmer’s problem remains the same,” he said.

He stressed that the focus should be on finding solutions to prevent further hardship for cocoa farmers rather than trading accusations.

The comments come amid growing concerns over cocoa arrears and rising pressure on the government to act swiftly to stabilise the cocoa sector.