The Ghana National Association of Cocoa Farmers has issued a three-week ultimatum to the government: pay the outstanding arrears or face a nationwide demonstration.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa, the association’s public relations officer, highlighted the growing financial crisis hitting farmers’ households due to the payment delays.
Speaking on As it is in Ghana on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Ghana, and 92.4FM, UK, she revealed that over 7,000 members are currently affected.
Despite reports that the government has released the funds, the association maintains that no money has reached the farmers.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa expressed support for the recent protest held by the Concerned Cocoa Farmers at the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) headquarters, noting that such drastic measures are born out of desperation.
While her members did not officially participate in last week’s protest, she emphasised their solidarity, saying, “If some of them came, I didn’t see them. God is my witness. We are not divided.”
The association noted that farmers have cooperated with the government despite difficult terms. After being informed that new cocoa supplies would face price reductions, the farmers accepted the lower rates—yet the payments remain outstanding.
“The farmers waited, but nothing happened. Later, they were told that the old cocoa they sent would not be affected, but the new cocoa would have a reduced price. The price was truly reduced, and the farmers accepted it, but up till now, they have not been paid.”
The Association has set a two-to-three-week deadline for the government to act before they take to the streets.
Lack of Transparency from LBCs and COCOBOD
The Association’s attempts to verify the status of the funds through Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) have yielded no results. According to Asantewaa, many LBCs claim they have neither received the money nor held any discussions regarding its disbursement.
She further criticised COCOBOD, arguing that despite its long history, it has failed to alleviate the struggles of the average farmer. She clarified that farmers do not receive direct funding from COCOBOD for cultivation; instead, they rely on buyers to provide the necessary funds for inputs like spraying chemicals.
By: Justina Ekua Kwofie and Rashid Obodai Provencal/Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
