At a press conference addressed by the Ranking Member - Committee on Food Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, Isaac Yaw Opoku on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, he said the recent increase as announced by the Finance Minister is disappointing and disheartening particularly to the cocoa farmers; and that the development has presented a very difficult position for farmers to trust the government again on any promises going forward.

He contended that the previous government led by Nana Akufo-Addo was open and truthful to Ghanaians and Cocoa farmers but the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in opposition decided to play politics with the Cocoa sector with the then ranking member and now Minister of Agriculture, Eric Opoku leading the charge.

"At the time, we told them (NDC) that the GHC3100 paid to the farmers was the best, but they promised to pay GH6000.

He said it is their hope and desire to see a chunk of the youth engage in Cocoa farming but these kind of unfulfilled promises on prices would demoralize them which would be detrimental to the sector and the finances of the government.

He urged the finance and Agriculture Minister to explain to the public what informed their earlier position to promise to pay GHC6000 only to renege on it.

The Minority thus urged the government to immediately review the price to motivate cocoa farmers and prevent the temptation of farmers giving their cocoa farms out to galamsey operators.