As Ghana heads to the polls this Saturday, cocoa farmers, a significant voter bloc, are prioritizing fertilizer availability over party loyalty in a tight presidential race between Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
For cocoa farmer Joseph Arkoh, the decision is straightforward: “All of us farmers are suffering. Fertilizer and chemicals are our biggest concerns.”
The cocoa sector, critical to Ghana’s economy as the world’s second-largest producer, faces challenges from climate change, tree disease, illegal gold mining, and policy missteps. Despite recent economic growth, the sector remains in crisis, with production hitting its lowest levels in decades after peaking in 2021.
Cocoa farming households, representing an estimated 2 million voters out of Ghana’s 18 million electorate, could play a decisive role. Many farmers, previously aligned with the NPP, are voicing discontent.
“The NPP isn’t for farmers. They’re for business,” said one farmer, who plans to vote NDC after supporting NPP in the last election.
Campaign Promises for Cocoa Farmers
Mahama has centered his campaign on reforming the cocoa sector, pledging free fertilizer distribution, better management of Cocobod—the state regulator—and measures to tackle corruption and illegal mining.
“They’re spending on themselves while farmers struggle,” Mahama said during a campaign stop in Takoradi, a key cocoa region.
Bawumia, on the other hand, has highlighted increased cocoa prices under the NPP and promised continued support for farmers but has avoided specifics. Cocobod, under pressure from the International Monetary Fund, has proposed a plan to cut administrative costs and boost farmers’ revenue share.
Widespread Discontent
Farmers like Abubakar Jebril believe current policies are insufficient. “The government should be sympathetic. We are just begging that they raise the price,” he said.
Concerns over mismanagement are mounting, with administrative costs at Cocobod tripling between 2018 and 2023. A government audit revealed inefficiencies, including non-competitive contract awards for cocoa road projects.
The Fertilizer Factor
For Arkoh, the choice is clear: “If they give me
