Cocoa Farmers in Distress: Minority Accuses Government, COCOBOD over GHS10bn Debt unpaid

The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has called on the government and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to urgently pay cocoa farmers for produce sold since November 2025, warning that persistent delays are plunging farmers into hardship and threatening the sustainability of the cocoa sector.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, the Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee and Member of Parliament for Ofinso South, Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, said Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) have been unable to pay farmers because COCOBOD has failed to reimburse them for cocoa already purchased and delivered.

According to Dr Opoku, COCOBOD currently owes LBCs more than GH¢10 billion in defaulted receipts, leaving the companies financially constrained and unable to continue normal operations.

“The LBCs have borrowed from banks and off-taker traders to pre-finance the harvest, but their funds have been locked up without reimbursement,” he said, adding that the situation has forced farmers to sell cocoa on credit, accept discounted prices, or return home with unsold produce.

The Minority described the development as unprecedented and warned of severe consequences for the national economy, given cocoa’s critical role in export earnings and rural livelihoods.

The Caucus also dismissed claims by COCOBOD that sufficient funds have been released to LBCs, describing such assertions as misleading.

“The reality is that farmers are not being paid for cocoa sold to the Mahama-led NDC government since November last year,” the statement said, noting that farmers who rely solely on cocoa income have endured extreme hardship over the past three months.

The Minority cited several cases, including a farmer who reportedly sold 100 bags of cocoa but could not afford medication for high blood pressure, and another whose wife was unable to purchase prescribed drugs due to lack of funds. Others, the statement said, are struggling to pay school fees for their children.

“For the first time in the history of this country, cocoa farmers had to postpone Christmas celebrations because they had not been paid for their produce,” the Caucus claimed.

The Minority further accused the government of failing to honour campaign promises made ahead of the 2024 general elections, including commitments to raise the producer price of cocoa to between GH¢6,000 and GH¢7,000 per bag.

Currently, the farmgate price stands at GH¢3,625 per 64kg bag, which the Minority described as significantly below promised levels. It also criticised reports suggesting the government may reduce the price further to facilitate payments.

“Such a move would amount to the mother of all betrayals of trust with cocoa farmers,” the statement warned.

The Caucus also alleged that since assuming office in January 2025, the government’s management of COCOBOD has prioritised administrative spending over farmer welfare, citing mass transfers and promotions within the institution that have resulted in millions of cedis in avoidable costs.

According to the Minority, the payment delays are not only affecting farmers but are also undermining indigenous cocoa buying companies and transporters whose working capital has been locked up.

“These businesses are at risk, their investments threatened and financing confidence undermined,” the statement said.

The Minority demanded an immediate apology from the government and COCOBOD, full reimbursement of all outstanding payments to LBCs, and prompt payment to farmers for all cocoa delivered.

“Cocoa farmers are not beggars. Paying them promptly is not a favour; it is an obligation,” the statement concluded