Delay in cocoa payments raises farmers' anxiety

Cocoa farmers in Kadjebi and parts of the Jasikan Municipality have expressed concern over delays in payments for cocoa beans sold to licensed buying companies.

The farmers say the delayed payments by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) are causing severe financial hardship, leaving many unable to meet basic household needs and cover farm-related expenses. They fear the situation could worsen if urgent measures are not taken to ensure prompt settlement.

According to the farmers, although the producer price for the 2025/2026 cocoa season was recently increased to GH¢3,625 per 64-kilogramme bag, equivalent to about GH¢58,000 per tonne, they are yet to receive payment for cocoa beans sold several months ago.

The government announced the price increase in October to boost farmers’ incomes and reflect improved global cocoa market conditions.

Lawson Kugblenu, a cocoa farmer at Kadjebi, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that he sold his cocoa beans in November 2025 but had not been paid. “It is disappointing and discouraging for farmers who depend on prompt payment to meet their immediate needs,” he said.

George Dorhame of Tadzewu Kpodzi, a suburb of Kadjebi and John Kuma Misiame of Ketsi in the Jasikan Municipality also expressed frustration over the delays and appealed to COCOBOD and the government to urgently address the problem.

A cocoa purchasing clerk, who spoke to the GNA on condition of anonymity, attributed the delay to the non-release of funds by COCOBOD to enable licensed buying companies to pay farmers.

He appealed to farmers to exercise patience, assuring them that they would eventually be paid.