Randy Abby, COCOBOD CEO
Cocoa farmers and cooperative societies are lacing their boot to stage a nationwide demonstration against the government over unpaid monies owned by Cocoa Board (COOCOBOD).
Resources reveals that farmers have not been paid for cocoa beans supplied since November 2025 therefore demanding immediate payment and better prices for their cocoa.
Speaking to the media, President of the Mankrong Cocoa Cooperative Farmers Association, Francis Teinor, urged COCOBOD and the government to act swiftly to clear the arrears to avert disruptions in the cocoa sector.
“It is really affecting farmers; some are sick and want to seek medication, but they don’t have money to go to the hospital. Do you want them to die? School has reopened, and parents want to pay fees. We cannot keep the cocoa because farmers don’t have the storage facilities.
“As I speak, it’s been about six weeks with no money for cocoa farmers. This is seriously affecting the sector. If the COCOBOD CEO does not do anything about it, he should expect something ugly from next week. Farmers are not happy; if he is not careful, we will be on the streets next week,” he said.
Meanwhile some farmers in the Ashanti region are contemplating smuggling the beans to neighbouring countries like Côte d’Ivoire and selling off their farm lands.
While COCOBOD is yet to address the agitation made by the farmers, however the Board in an earlier release reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding farmer welfare, strengthening cocoa sector sustainability, and upholding Ghana’s leadership in the global cocoa industry.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke