Cocoa Farmers Demand Clarity Ahead of New Season

The Young Cocoa Farmers Association has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama for urgent clarity and government intervention ahead of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season, warning that uncertainty over financing, producer prices and the implementation of new sector policies is deepening anxiety among farmers. In a petition dated August 17, 2026, the association said difficulties experienced during the 2025/2026 cocoa season had left many farmers financially distressed and unable to meet production targets, support their families or adequately maintain their farms.

The farmers said the situation was particularly difficult during the minor season, when many Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks allegedly lacked sufficient funds to purchase cocoa beans. According to the association, the funding constraints prevented some farmers from readily converting their harvested cocoa into income at a time when they traditionally depend on buyers for advances and credit to sustain their farms until the main crop season. The association said the financial difficulties facing buyers had consequently been transferred to farmers, placing additional pressure on households that depend heavily on cocoa farming for their livelihoods.

At the centre of the petition is a demand for assurances that adequate financing will be available throughout the 2026/2027 season to ensure farmers can sell their cocoa without prolonged delays. The association wants the government to explain what measures have been introduced to prevent a repeat of the financing difficulties it says disrupted cocoa purchases during the previous season. It also wants clarity on the official opening date for the new cocoa purchasing season to enable farmers, buyers and other industry players to prepare adequately. The farmers argued that timely information was essential because uncertainty over the season was making it difficult for them to plan investments, hire labour, purchase inputs and establish realistic production targets.

The association has also appealed for clarity on the future of the producer price of cocoa, particularly whether the price will remain stable or be reduced. The farmers stressed that cocoa prices must reflect the actual cost of production and provide a reasonable return on their investment. They further sought clarification on the policy under which cocoa farmers are expected to receive 70 per cent of the value or price of cocoa, asking the government to explain how the policy will operate in practice and how farmers will benefit from it.

Another major issue raised in the petition is the 2026 Cocoa Bill. The Young Cocoa Farmers Association is calling for direct engagement between the government and cocoa farmers to explain the Bill’s key provisions, implications and expected benefits to producers. The association said farmers should not merely be recipients of policy decisions but must be adequately informed and involved in discussions on reforms that directly affect their livelihoods. It urged the government to engage farmers and other stakeholders before the commencement of the new purchasing season, arguing that greater transparency and consultation would help restore confidence in the cocoa sector.

The association said the challenges confronting cocoa farmers extend beyond difficulties in selling their produce. According to the petition, reduced or uncertain income has affected farmers’ ability to meet basic household needs, finance their children’s education, access healthcare and undertake essential farm maintenance. It said the difficulties were particularly worrying for young cocoa farmers whose ability to remain in the sector depends on whether cocoa farming can provide a sustainable and attractive livelihood. The farmers reminded the government that cocoa remains a major contributor to Ghana’s export earnings and provides livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of farming families. They therefore called for policies that would provide farmers with greater certainty, timely market access and returns capable of sustaining cocoa production over the long term.

The association urged President Mahama and his government to engage relevant stakeholders and provide clear direction on the 2026/2027 season before purchasing begins. It said such assurances would enable farmers to make informed decisions and restore confidence in a sector that has faced significant financial and operational pressures. The petition was signed by Executive Secretary Madam Adwoa Mensah and Convenor Martin Adu on behalf of the Young Cocoa Farmers Association. Copies of the petition were also addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), the Speaker of Parliament, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, and media houses. The farmers said they remained hopeful that their concerns would receive urgent attention, stressing that the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry depends significantly on restoring confidence among the farmers who sustain it.

By: Joyce Owusu