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Cocoa farmers across the country have threatened to embark on a nationwide demonstration next week over unpaid monies owed to them by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for cocoa beans supplied since November 2025.
The farmers say the prolonged delay in payments has pushed many of them into serious financial distress, making it difficult to meet basic needs such as healthcare, school fees, and household expenses.
Speaking to Citi News, President of the Mankrong Cocoa Cooperative Farmers Association, Francis Teinor, appealed to COCOBOD and government authorities to urgently clear the arrears to prevent unrest within the cocoa sector.
According to him, the situation has become dire for many cocoa farmers, some of whom are unable to seek medical care due to lack of funds.
“It is really affecting farmers. Some are sick and want to seek medication, but they don’t have money to go to the hospital. Do you want them to die? School has reopened and parents want to pay fees,” he said.
Mr Teinor also noted that farmers are unable to store their produce for long periods, as most lack proper storage facilities, leaving them with no option but to sell and wait endlessly for payment.
“We cannot also keep the cocoa because farmers don’t have the storage facilities. As I speak, it’s been about six weeks with no money for cocoa farmers. This is seriously affecting the sector,” he added.
He warned that if COCOBOD management, particularly the Chief Executive Officer, fails to address the situation promptly, farmers will be left with no choice but to take to the streets to demand their payments.
“If the COCOBOD CEO does not do anything about it, he should expect something ugly from next week. Farmers are not happy, and if he is not careful, we will be on the streets next week,” Mr Teinor cautioned.
The cocoa sector remains a critical pillar of Ghana’s economy, and any disruption could have far-reaching consequences for both farmers and the national economy. As of now, COCOBOD is yet to officially respond to the concerns raised by the farmers.
