The Executive Management and Senior Staff of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have announced salary reductions in response to ongoing liquidity challenges confronting Ghana’s cocoa sector.
In a press release dated Monday, February 16, 2026, COCOBOD confirmed that the pay cuts take immediate effect and will remain in force for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop year. Executive Management will take a 20 percent reduction in salaries, while Senior Staff have agreed to a 10 percent cut.
The decision forms part of broader cost-containment measures aimed at aligning expenditure with declining revenues in a sector facing mounting financial strain.
Management disclosed that additional reforms are underway, including procurement restructuring and a staff rationalisation exercise intended to streamline operations and stabilise the institution’s finances. The Board described the measures as necessary steps to safeguard the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
The announcement comes at a particularly challenging moment for the sector. Rising operational costs, heavy financing burdens tied to cocoa purchases, and exposure to global price volatility have intensified financial pressures. Public debate has also grown around producer prices and farmer welfare, placing COCOBOD under increased scrutiny.
Industry analysts note that the cocoa regulator carries significant financial commitments each crop season, including pre-financing arrangements and logistical expenses, which have been compounded by fluctuating global market conditions.
While COCOBOD’s leadership has framed the salary reductions as a demonstration of shared sacrifice during a period of restructuring, the statement did not disclose the size of the liquidity gap or estimate projected savings from the pay cuts.
The coming months will test the effectiveness of these reforms as the Board seeks to restore financial balance while maintaining support for Ghana’s cocoa farmers.
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