The Ghana Cocoa Board has disbursed an additional GH¢2.6 billion to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to facilitate payments to cocoa farmers, bringing the total amount paid for cocoa purchases during the 2025/26 crop season to over GH¢34.5 billion.
The latest release is expected to help clear outstanding debts owed to thousands of cocoa farmers, particularly those whose produce was purchased on credit.
In a statement issued on Thursday, COCOBOD announced that the funds had been made available to Licensed Buying Companies for distribution to farmers across all cocoa-producing regions of the country.
According to the Board, a total of GH¢34.52 billion has been paid to LBCs since the beginning of the current crop season to support the purchase of cocoa from farmers.
Out of the newly released amount, approximately GH¢1.4 billion has been earmarked specifically to settle outstanding balances owed to farmers for cocoa bought on credit by Licensed Buying Companies.
The intervention follows concerns raised over delayed payments to some cocoa producers. COCOBOD assured farmers that efforts are underway to ensure all legitimate suppliers receive the payments due to them.
The Board stated that it is working closely with Licensed Buying Companies to facilitate the prompt settlement of outstanding payments and has put monitoring measures in place to ensure the funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
COCOBOD also acknowledged the patience and resilience shown by cocoa farmers during the period of payment delays, reassuring them that every farmer who sold cocoa through the approved purchasing system would be paid in full.
Farmers who are yet to receive payment have been encouraged to contact the Licensed Buying Company through which they sold their cocoa for further assistance.
The Board described the latest disbursement as evidence of the government’s commitment to supporting cocoa farmers and maintaining confidence in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
It reiterated its dedication to protecting farmers’ interests, improving their welfare and ensuring they receive the full value of their produce.
COCOBOD further expressed gratitude to cocoa farmers for their continued contribution to the national economy and pledged to continue collaborating with government and industry stakeholders to strengthen the cocoa value chain, enhance farmer livelihoods and promote the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
Source: myjoyonline.com
