The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to immediately settle all outstanding payments owed to cocoa farmers for beans purchased since November 2025, describing the prolonged delays as a gross dereliction of duty that is pushing the cocoa industry into crisis.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Thursday, February 5, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, expressed deep alarm over the severe financial hardship facing cocoa farmers, many of whom have remained unpaid for more than three months.
He attributed the delays to COCOBOD’s failure to reimburse Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) for cocoa already taken over and delivered.
According to him, COCOBOD currently owes LBCs in excess of GH¢10 billion, leaving these companies cash-strapped, unable to pay farmers promptly, and reliant on bank loans and off-taker financing that remain unsettled.
As a result, farmers are forced to sell on credit, accept significant discounts, or return home with unsold produce, developments Mr Opoku warned could undermine the entire cocoa value chain, threaten the survival of indigenous LBCs and transport operators, and negatively impact the broader economy.
The Minority Ranking Member rejected COCOBOD’s claims that sufficient funds have been released for cocoa purchases, insisting that the reality on the ground shows otherwise. He highlighted the human toll of the crisis, including farmers’ inability to afford healthcare, school fees, or support for sick relatives, with some reportedly unable to celebrate Christmas due to non-payment.
Mr Opoku also criticised the government for failing to honour pre-election promises made ahead of the December 7, 2024 polls, where assurances were given that cocoa farmers would receive producer prices between GH¢6,000 and GH¢7,000 per bag. The current farmgate price stands at GH¢3,625 per 64kg bag — introduced as an increase from GH¢3,228.75 for the 2025/2026 season, which he described as falling far short of those commitments.
He further expressed concern over reports suggesting the producer price could be reduced to help clear arrears, calling such a move a breach of trust.
Accusing the government of mismanaging COCOBOD through wasteful administrative spending and mass staff transfers while farmers suffer, Mr Opoku issued a strong set of demands on behalf of the Minority.
“We call on Government and COCOBOD to pay our cocoa farmers immediately for all cocoa beans sold and to be sold, to save the cocoa industry from slipping back to the days of despondency and loss of interest. We demand an apology from Government and COCOBOD for this gross dereliction of duty. COCOBOD must reimburse the LBCs of all outstanding repayments for cocoa purchased and delivered, and must also ensure the prompt repayment for subsequent deliveries and CTORs to avoid the recurrence of this despicable situation in the future. We demand that our cherished cocoa farmers are treated better and with dignity than we are seeing now. Cocoa farmers are not beggars. Paying farmers promptly is not a favor. It is an obligation,” the Ranking Member said.
The Minority urged swift action to restore confidence in the sector, warning that continued neglect could erode interest in cocoa farming and jeopardise Ghana’s position as a leading global producer.