The Young Cocoa Farmers Association has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama, seeking urgent clarity, assurance, and intervention ahead of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season.
In a petition submitted on Monday and signed by Executive Secretary Madam Adwoa Mensah and Convenor Martin Adu, the Association highlighted the severe challenges cocoa farmers faced during the 2025/2026 season. Many young farmers were unable to meet production targets or expected incomes, leaving households struggling to cover basic needs, children’s education, healthcare, and essential farm maintenance.
The Association noted that several Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks lacked adequate funds to buy cocoa beans during the minor season, making it difficult for farmers to sell their produce and access income. Traditional support systems such as advances and credit facilities from buyers were also unavailable due to financial constraints faced by the buyers themselves.
These difficulties, the petition stated, have created deep uncertainty as the new season approaches. Farmers are unable to make informed decisions on farm investments, labour, input purchases, and production targets because critical information about the upcoming season remains unclear.
The Young Cocoa Farmers Association is therefore calling on the President and, the government to provide urgent clarity on the following:
- Whether adequate funds will be made available to facilitate the purchase of cocoa beans throughout the 2026/2027 season.
- Whether measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence of the financial challenges experienced in the previous season.
- Whether the producer price of cocoa will remain stable or face any reduction.
- The official commencement date of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season.
- Clarity on the policy that cocoa farmers should receive 70% of the cocoa value (price).
- Engagement with cocoa farmers on the 2026 Cocoa Bill, including a detailed explanation of its key provisions, implications, and benefits for farmers.
The Association emphasised that cocoa farmers form the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa industry and are among the largest contributors to the country’s export earnings. It appealed for timely information, policy certainty, and recognition of farmers’ contributions, stressing that producers deserve prices that reflect the true cost of production and offer a reasonable return on investment.
Copies of the petition have been sent to the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, the Speaker of Parliament, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, and all media houses.
