Berekum (Bono), April 15, – Licensed Cocoa Buyers in the Berekum Municipality of the Bono Region have appealed to government to urgently intervene to resolve delays in payments to cocoa farmers, warning that rising agitation could escalate tensions in producing communities.
They said the delays had created misunderstandings between buyers and farmers, with increasing complaints and threats posing risks to the safety of buying agents.
Elder George Owusu, spokesperson for the Licensed Buying Companies in the area, said the situation had become increasingly difficult to manage.
“The threats we are receiving from farmers are becoming too much, and something must be done to salvage the situation,” he said.
He said some farmers had directly confronted buyers over unpaid proceeds, raising concerns about personal safety and security in the line of duty.
Elder Owusu disclosed that he had supplied about 100 bags of cocoa beans to Olam Cocoa Ghana Limited but had not received payment since last year.
“We constantly hear that funds have been released to Licensed Buying Companies, but we have not received anything,” he said, adding that the situation was creating mistrust between farmers and buyers.
He explained that despite the delays, farmers continued to bring cocoa beans to purchasing centres, making it difficult for buyers to turn them away after long journeys.
“As a result, we collect the beans and explain the situation to them, but they keep returning daily to demand payment,” he said.
A cocoa farmer, Mr Amankona Diawuo, expressed frustration over the delays, saying many producers were struggling to meet basic household needs.
“We have sold our beans and we need our money now. We cannot afford to wait any longer,” he said, urging government to expedite payment processes to restore stability in the sector.
GHBUSS
15 April 2026
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