The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has voiced apprehensions regarding the administration of the country’s cocoa industry, characterising the situation of local farmers as a ‘moral imperative’ that surpasses mere economic considerations.
In a statement issued on Friday, February 20, 2026, the Conference underscored a troubling pattern of delayed payments for delivered cocoa, resulting in families struggling to settle school fees and accumulating debt.
The clergy attributed this predicament to a combination of systemic flaws and external pressures.
Despite the volatility of international markets, the bishops clontended that farmers are being inequitably expected to bear the brunt of the burden.
“To penalise them for circumstances beyond their control would be insensitive and morally indefensible,” the statement read, noting that during years of “windfall gains”, producer prices were not raised proportionately to benefit the growers.
The bishops also sounded the alarm on Ghana’s fading dominance in the global market.
With Ecuador poised to overtake Ghana as the world’s second-largest producer, and the combined output of Nigeria and Cameroon gaining ground, the conference warned that illegal mining (galamsey) and climate stress are pushing the industry toward a breaking point.
The Conference has consequently proposed several reforms it desires the government to implement.
To stabilise rural livelihoods, immediate and practical interventions are being demanded, commencing with the prompt settlement of all outstanding arrears owed to farmers for their delivered crops.
Additionally, the bishops are advocating for a transparent financial restructuring of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the implementation of robust price protections beyond immediate payments, arguing that accumulated surpluses from “windfall” years should sustain producer prices during lean global market conditions. Crucially, the Conference advocates for the complete depoliticisation of the industry through a national dialogue focused on farmer welfare, youth participation, and the expansion of local processing to secure the sector’s future.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com
