‘Cocoa farmers are not beggars’ – Minority Caucus demands immediate payment

The Minority Caucus has called on the government and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to urgently settle outstanding payments to cocoa farmers, warning that delays are jeopardizing the industry.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, February 5, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, Isaac Yaw Opoku, said the Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) are owed more than GH¢10 billion by COCOBOD for cocoa deliveries made since November 2025.

The non-payment has forced farmers to sell their produce at discounted rates or on credit.

“As a result, farmers are being forced to sell their cocoa on credit, at heavy discounts, or return home with their produce unsold,” he said,

Yaw Opoku also criticised the government for failing to honour campaign promises made ahead of the December 7 elections. He recalled that then-opposition figures, including Dr. Eric Opoku and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, had promised cocoa farmers producer prices of GH¢6,000 and GH¢7,000 per bag, respectively.

However, he said the current farmgate price stands at GH¢3,625 per 64kg bag, far below those assurances.

“Cocoa farmers are not beggars. Paying farmers promptly is not a favor. It is an obligation.”

Yaw Opoku warned that the delayed payments were not only hurting farmers but also threatening the survival of indigenous cocoa buying companies and transporters whose capital has been locked up.

The Minority Caucus is therefore demanding immediate payment to cocoa farmers for all cocoa beans sold, full reimbursement of LBCs for outstanding deliveries, and prompt settlement of future cocoa taken-over receipts.

They also called for an apology from the government and COCOBOD, insisting that prompt payment to farmers is not a favour but a duty.

By: Addo Dennis Adjei

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