The Public Relations Officer for the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA), Nana Yaa Asantewaa, has revealed that despite recent financial disbursements meant to clear debts owed to cocoa farmers, a significant number of them remain unpaid.
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) recently released GH¢2.6 billion to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to facilitate payments for cocoa purchases across the nation’s cocoa-growing regions.
In a statement issued on Thursday, 2 July, COCOBOD explained that the funds were intended to ensure that farmers who supplied cocoa through the approved purchasing system received their money.
According to the Board, a total of GH¢34.52 billion has been paid to LBCs since the start of the 2025/26 crop season for onward payment to farmers.
However, GNACOFA notes that out of the country’s over 700,000 cocoa farmers, less than a third have actually received their payments.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s midday news programme, Nyankonton Mu Nsem, Nana Yaa Asantewaa explained that the remaining balance of the new disbursement is woefully inadequate to address the widespread arrears.
She noted that out of the GH¢2.6 billion released, approximately GH¢1.4 billion had already been earmarked to settle older outstanding payments for cocoa purchased on credit.
“The amount released for the over 700,000 farmers was woefully inadequate. We were informed that of the GH¢2.6 billion released, about GH¢1.4 billion has been earmarked to settle outstanding payments owed to farmers for cocoa purchased on credit. What was left to pay us was nothing to write home about. Farmers who, for example, were owed let’s say, three bags were paid just one out of it. Since October 2025, we had not received anything. We have pushed to be paid but nothing has been done about it,” she lamented.
Expressing deep frustration, the PRO stated that farmers are now exhausted from constantly fighting for their money, and urged COCOBOD to do everything within its power to secure the necessary funds to clear the remaining debt.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa warned that the government’s failure to release timely payments is actively driving desperate farmers to lease their lands for illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
“We have complained bitterly and yet nothing has been done about it. What is happening defeats the promises this government gave us while they were in opposition. Some of the farmers will continue to give up their lands for galamsey. We will continue to push and demand payments because the farmers need to be encouraged to continue farming,” she warned.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
