Farmers in Ghana Receive Highest Cocoa Price in West Africa – COCOBOD

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has firmly rejected recent reports suggesting that Ghanaian cocoa farmers are earning less than their counterparts in Côte d’Ivoire. According to the Board, the latest market figures prove otherwise — Ghana is currently paying the highest farmgate price for cocoa in the sub-region.

In its statement issued on Wednesday, August 20, COCOBOD revealed that Ghanaian farmers are receiving ₵3,228.75 for a 64kg bag of cocoa, which translates to ₵51,660 per tonne, or about US$5,040 per metric tonne (MT). In contrast, farmers in Côte d’Ivoire are being paid ₵2,553.38 per bag, equivalent to ₵40,854 per tonne (US$3,886/MT). This means Ghanaian farmers earn ₵675 more per bag — or more than ₵10,800 extra per tonne — than their Ivorian colleagues.

“This is not a matter of interpretation — it is a matter of fact,” COCOBOD stressed, adding that on every pricing metric, Ghana offers more. Indeed, the comparisons are striking:

• Per Kilogramme: Ghana – ₵51.65 (US$5.04) | Côte d’Ivoire – ₵40.85 (US$3.89)
• Per 64kg Bag: Ghana – US$315 | Côte d’Ivoire – US$227
• Per Tonne: Ghana – US$5,040 | Côte d’Ivoire – US$3,886

Beyond just numbers, COCOBOD explained that the pricing policy is also designed to shield farmers from the impacts of currency volatility while discouraging cross-border smuggling — a problem that often undermines the local industry.

“Ghana’s cocoa remains the global benchmark for quality, and now, backed by the highest farmgate price in West Africa, it also guarantees better livelihoods for our farmers,” the Board concluded.