Awo Kekeli, a communications official of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has defended the recent reduction in cocoa producer prices, describing it as a difficult but necessary decision driven by global market conditions.
Speaking to Lily Mohammed on GHToday on February 18, 2026, Kekeli dismissed claims that the government had shortchanged farmers after promising better prices.
“Yes, we promised the people then because of the price on the world market and the dollar rates then,” she said. “But today, look at where we stand. Look at where the dollar is now and how much this thing is being bought on the world market.”
She explained that cocoa prices on the international market have dropped, making it challenging for the government to sustain previous rates.
“Our cocoa now is expensive compared to what they are getting from the world market,” Kekeli said. “Which businessman would want to go and buy high and sell low?”
The NDC official also accused the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of contributing to the challenges in the cocoa sector.
“No party, especially the NPP, can say that this cocoa mess they didn’t create it,” she said, adding that ongoing investigations at COCOBOD would reveal more details.
Kekeli dismissed allegations that the new Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, had purchased vehicles for himself or his deputies.
“Dr. Randy Abbey has not bought any new car for himself or any of his deputies. No new appointee at COCOBOD has any new car,” she stated.
She also highlighted government efforts to boost local cocoa processing, noting that 50 percent of the country’s cocoa will now be retained for local processing rather than exported entirely in raw form.
“We are not going to carry everything and give it to the white man raw who will now determine prices for us,” Kekeli said.
Acknowledging that the decision is not popular, she insisted it was necessary for long-term sustainability.
“We are not saying that it is a palatable thing. No way. But how much is it being sold on the world market? We are giving 70 percent to the farmer,” she added.
Source: Starrfm.comgh/Abigail praise Pabai
