Cocoa farmers across the country have issued a strong warning to the government over delayed payment for their cocoa beans, which has unleashed hardships on them and their families.
According to the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association, their members have run out of patience, as unpaid deliveries continue to strain livelihoods at the peak of the cocoa season.
The renewed pressure comes in spite of public assurance by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) that steps are being taken to clear outstanding payments within the shortest possible time.
Consequently, President John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting today Wednesday, February 11, 2026, to address all the issues in Ghana’s cocoa industry.
Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced this in a post on X.
The urgent meeting comes as the cocoa sector faces multiple pressures, including severe financing challenges that have delayed payments to farmers and value chain actors, heightening concerns about the industry’s stability and future.
The move comes amid growing alarm over liquidity shortfalls and delayed payments to cocoa farmers and Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), which industry stakeholders warn could destabilise the sector if not swiftly addressed.
According to the Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana (LICOBAG), the government needs to secure emergency financing to buy an estimated 300,000 tonnes of cocoa beans through September to avoid a potential collapse
The COCOBOD, which regulates pricing, purchases and export of cocoa, has acknowledged the funding gap and is working with the Ministry of Finance on possible solutions, including abandoning the longstanding syndicated loan financing model that underpins cocoa purchases.
Cocoa farmers have expressed frustration over pricing for the 2025/2026 crop season, saying the rates set fall short of expectations and could worsen smuggling incentives and undermine farmer incomes.
The emergency Cabinet session will bring together ministers, sector experts and key government officials to chart a course for immediate interventions, including measures to ensure timely payments to farmers, secure financing for cocoa purchases and shore up confidence in the value chain.
By Kyei Boateng
