The Ghana National Association of Cocoa Farmers (GNACOF) has issued an ultimatum to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), demanding clear action on the release of funds to farmers by Monday, 6 July 2026.
This development follows COCOBOD’s recent announcement that it has released GH¢2.6 billion to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to settle outstanding debts owed to cocoa farmers nationwide. The funding is part of broader efforts to support the agricultural sector, with approximately GH¢1.4 billion of the total specifically earmarked to clear debts for cocoa previously purchased on credit. According to COCOBOD, this latest injection brings the total amount disbursed to LBCs since the start of the 2025/26 crop season to GH¢34,523,447,255.64.
Responding to the news, GNACOF Public Relations Officer Nana Yaa Asantewaa expressed deep skepticism, noting that farmers have endured a long history of unfulfilled promises and financial neglect. Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, she explained that while the association is aware of the announced release, they are withholding judgment until Monday before deciding on their next course of action. She lamented that the unfair treatment of cocoa farmers has deprived them of their livelihoods, creating severe hardships across the community.
“The news came in on Thursday, and so we are waiting until Monday to decide on what to do,” she stated. “They have since last year been claiming that they had paid us, but it all turned out to be false. We do not want to be deceived once again. We have done our checks and no farmer has been paid yet, so we will wait until Monday and observe if the farmers will be paid. Our only interest is to see farmers paid with no more excuses. Some of our members cannot even pay their medical bills. Others are struggling to survive, and so we want to be paid with no more lies and deception.”
She further criticised the political establishment, arguing that politicians have little genuine interest in transforming the cocoa sector, routinely abandoning farmers once election campaigns conclude.
“The politicians have nothing better for cocoa farmers,” she added. “They don’t regard or respect us. They think we are fools. Year after year, when they campaign for power, they make promises they cannot deliver just to win elections. After winning power, they ignore us and do the opposite of what they promised us. It will soon get to the point where no Ghanaian will vote in an election, because these politicians have fooled us for far too long.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana