This perceived value then becomes the defacto automatic pre-agreement value and agreed value. This then leaves the buyers of African raw materials to reap the massive profits from the Post-agreement market value of both value streams. This is capitalism aka anti-African economics. For instance, Africa's cacao nuts, the most important raw ingredient of chocolate, is being sold at just over $1 per pound whereas I just heard that lobster from other parts of the world sells for $40 to $50 dollars per pound. Understand clearly that the cacao farmers are receiving less than thirty-three cents per pound. This payment comes out of the one-dollar overall exchange price agreed upon by the African country's government.
02.09.20 Update
On 02.06.20, this was published, People, trading and markets in Ghana | DW DocumentaryPlease watch, listen and absorb. Take notes. Write them down. You'll understand why, later.
Here are some points I found interesting indeed. I have paraphrased and mixed in comments. 1. Among the many things Ghana has an abundance of are oil, gold and salt, yet most of the people survive, and barely so, on agriculture and fishing. Those along the coast barely survive harvesting salt the hard way. 2. Basic services are not free. Roads to cacao warehouses and salt supply stations are jacked up. 3. Customs for salt checks are extremely slow by often a several days wait. Not sure if this is Ghana or Togo's fault. Delays at custom stations punish the already underpaid workers and middlemen. The government deducts money from the middlemen if they arrive late to the warehouse. This is double gansta behavior by the government. 4. Cacao pricing is at the discretion of the “joseph” who works for the government. The government buys each 65 kg bag for a price I haven't found yet. 5. Mono crop farming has sucked nutrients out of the soil. Of course, output per tree is dwindling. This video says there is not enough income for new trees or fertilizer; however, on Ghana's Cocoa Board website, it says free hybrid cacao trees are available to farmers. This might not be true based on the next article I'll be posting. 6. To outsiders and internal cheerleaders, the image of Ghana is clearly synonymous with its coastal capital Accra. The rest of the nation is mostly neglected. 7. According to this video, the highest price for cacao is 1.37 euros per kilo (2.2 pounds). This is the same as 0.70 euros per pound. This is the same as 75 cents per pound. This is the same as $1,500 per non-metric ton of cacao beans. This is what the farmers receive which has to pay all workers on the farm and other expenses. So unless the farm generates several tons of cacao beans, they will be in deep financial trouble. 8. Ghana's cacao/cocoa is stated at 10% of GDP. Using all I've learned so far about Ghana's cacao income, this means Ghana's total GDP must be close to $60 billion. This is not much for a huge African nation. It equates to $2,100 per citizen. If this much money went to the benefit of each citizen, millions of Ghanaians would not be so impoverished while Accra flourishes. However, as discussed earlier, GDP is a false measure of the health and wealth of a nation. GDP must be carefully used in conjunction with a whole bunch of other measures. 9. Here is a different valuation for cacao. A May 20, 2019 article states: Ghana gets only $2 billion from cacao.
This valuation should be treated as an estimate but is still useful to help us progress in understandings. The article is quoted saying, “... the farmers in Ghana who were the anchor around which the industry revolved got less than three per cent of the $100 billion [world cocoa market].” 3% is 3 billion. There were 850,000 tons of cacao beans in 2018 per Ghana's 2020 budget. This equates to $3,529 per ton. This amount is not the amount famers get. The article says “less than 3%.” This is an unclear statement. 10. 2/9/20 sent email to public_affairs@cocobod.gh
Subject: Cocoa-Farmer Statistics
Where is there a breakdown or summary of the number of cocoa farms, farmers and regions and other pertinent distinctions? Please email or post a link. 11. According to the video, cacao is 10% of Ghana's GDP. If so then $2 billion is 10% of $20 billion. $20 billion must be Ghana's GDP. This number is extremely low and must be wrong. Cacao must be far less of a percentage of Ghana's GDP.
I know somebody is listening and watching and coordinating the listeners and watchers. On 02.02.20, the I am I am, posted: This is part of the continuing series on Africa, for which Ghana has become a poster child for the okie doke. And also: Year of Return, Year of Return, Year of Return. That's all Ghana is talking about as it's claim to fame. Followers of this blog have already seen several messages mentioning Ghana. Those message tell a much more comprehensive story about what should be in the discussion and assessment of Ghana; yet there is even more than what I've listed. Ghana as a destination and place is good. Leaders are another thing. On 01.25.19, the I am I am posted; Some other popular cooks, just to name a few, are Paul Kagame of Rwanda; Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Jesse Jackson, Sr. of the USA. Look at the seed mix. In a sense of what these cooks are serving us, wheat is being added to grass and sown for our feel good admiration, faithful fertilization, happy harvest and national yum-yum consumption. On 01.14.20, the I am I am, posted: Despite all the love, fanfare and hoopla about Ghana, we must not overlook very serious concerns that could derail the party-like festive atmosphere that is serving as a veneer to keep citizens from being clear about what is fundamentally taking place. On 12.25.19, the I am I am, posted: Ghana should be ashamed to allow its land and its people to be raped, robbed and poisoned especially by foreign-owned entities. Poor management and practices from the farmers to the government regulators who do nothing but listen to outsiders. Child labor for cacao, minerals, fish and a lot of other things is taking place in Ghana and in other countries worldwide due to extreme poverty. It's designed that way but African governments should not allow foreigners to profit. On 11.28.19, the I am I am, posted: A traveler returning home to become reacquainted with Africa through Ghana, describes the following experience. He went to Beggar's Land, a place where the lame. blind and really poor live, both young and old.
The traveler, along with locals, went to Beggar's Land to help bring food and money to the people. In doing so, he wanted to record some of it on his cellphone. Unknown to him, his money fell out of his pocket. The people chased him down and returned all of it. It was a substantial amount of money. This time around the main four eyes are at the corners of the Equinoctial Circle. This time around somebody is more closely watching and listening to Ghana and all others like it and is taking necessary steps. By the way, as a slap in the face and a bold-faced lie, the theme listed and stated and written right on the cover-up page on Ghana's budget is: “Consolidating the gains for growth, jobs and prosperity for all.” (On the Authority of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana).
