Felix Kwakye Ofosu
The government has approved emergency measures to expedite payments to cocoa farmers across the country, following threats to demonstrate for failing to pay cocoa beans supplied to Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) since November, 2025.
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who announced this after an emergency cabinet meeting yesterday, disclosed that government would focus on value-added production rather than exporting raw cocoa beans.
The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association, on Monday, called on the Ghana Cocoa Board to pay farmers without further delay, as assurances alone were no longer sufficient, urging them to pay them immediately.
According to the farmers, the delay has worsened their living conditions, created hardships for them and their families, adding that timely payments are critical to their well-being.
The President of the Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association, Samuel Adimado, also disclosed that Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) have not received payments from COCOBOD for two consecutive seasons, with arrears estimated at $185 million.
He said LBCs are licensed and regulated by COCOBOD to buy cocoa directly from farmers and deliver it to takeover centres.
But speaking to the press after the emergency cabinet session, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu revealed that the reforms are designed to help improve the cocoa sector, especially processing of cocoa beans.
“We have just concluded a lengthy cabinet meeting, which was an emergency session that discussed the cocoa sector and matters arising there. And at the end of the emergency session, decisive measures have been agreed upon regarding expedited payments of cocoa farmers, regarding the implementation of the most drastic reforms in the cocoa sector,” the minister stated.
He said, “Cabinet has also endorsed the most far-reaching reforms in the history of the cocoa sector, designed to shift Ghana’s focus from exporting raw cocoa beans to value-added production.”
He noted that comprehensive restructuring will also be undertaken at COCOBOD to enhance efficiency, transparency, and effective management of the sector.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah