Obotumpan (E/R), Feb. 12, – Cocoa farmers in the Eastern Region have appealed to COCOBOD and government for immediate payment of beans supplied since November 2025, warning that delays are deepening financial hardship in cocoa-growing communities.
Farmers lamented that unpaid earnings at GHS3,625 per 64kg bag (2025/26 season) have strained household budgets, forcing borrowing for basic needs and eroding trust in the purchasing system.
COCOBOD's Financial Crisis
CEO Dr. Randy Abbey disclosed inherited debt of GHS32.91 billion including:
USD$481M + GHS10.06B due 2025/26
US$941.58M lost revenue from 333,768-tonne contract rollovers
US$103M shortfall (purchased at $3,100/tonne vs contracted $2,661)
GHS4B cocoa roads commitment vs GHS4.7B allocation
AFDB $350M spent on CSSVD rehab (40,000ha of 156,400ha completed)
Government Response
An emergency Cabinet meeting on February 11 addressed the crisis, with Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson scheduled to announce:
New cocoa purchase financing model
Debt resolution measures
Domestic processing expansion
Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed reforms aim to restore farmer confidence and build sector resilience.
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