President John Dramani Mahama has summoned an emergency Cabinet session for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, to urgently address the growing crisis in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The emergency meeting, according to the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, will focus on all critical issues affecting the cocoa sector, including delayed payments to farmers, liquidity challenges at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), and structural weaknesses threatening the sustainability of the industry.
The President’s intervention follows weeks of public outcry over delays in payments to cocoa farmers, many of whom have gone unpaid for cocoa beans supplied through Licensed Buying Companies since late 2025.
The situation gained national attention after the Minority Caucus in Parliament held a press conference warning that the cocoa industry was facing a serious crisis due to outstanding arrears owed by COCOBOD to buying companies.
At the press conference, the Minority accused the government and COCOBOD of failing to honour payment obligations, describing the delays as unacceptable and harmful to farmers’ livelihoods. They called for the immediate release of funds to clear cocoa take-over receipts and cautioned that continued delays could erode farmer confidence, encourage smuggling and undermine Ghana’s position as a leading cocoa producer.
Cocoa farmers have also raised strong concerns, insisting that repeated assurances from authorities are no longer sufficient. Farmers in several cocoa-growing communities say the payment delays have caused severe financial hardship, affecting their ability to cater for their families, repay loans and prepare adequately for the next farming season.
In response to the growing concerns, COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ransford Anertey Abbey, acknowledged the payment delays and apologised to cocoa farmers for the difficulties they are facing. He attributed the situation largely to severe financing challenges, including difficulties in securing the traditional syndicated loans that have historically supported cocoa purchases.
Dr. Abbey indicated that COCOBOD is working closely with the Ministry of Finance to mobilise resources and explore alternative funding models, while also addressing market challenges related to pricing and unsold cocoa stocks. He also appealed to farmers for patience, assuring them that measures are being put in place to resolve the situation.
Despite these assurances, pressure has continued to mount, with some political figures and stakeholders calling for urgent government intervention to stabilise the sector.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
