The Minority in Parliament has criticised delays in payments to cocoa farmers, questioning why farmers are yet to receive their money despite a reduction in the producer price of cocoa.
Speaking during the debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by John Dramani Mahama, Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, Isaac Yaw Opoku, described the situation as unfair to farmers.
According to him, the government continues to provide explanations for the delay while farmers remain unpaid.
“They are finding all manner of reasons as to why they cannot pay the cocoa farmer. They promised GH₵6,000, but it turned out to be 419. They increased the price from GH₵31,000 to GH₵36,000, but they didn’t pay. Now they have slashed it to GH₵2,587, and even that, they are not paying,” Mr Opoku stated.
He further disclosed that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) currently owes Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) more than GH₵11 billion.
“So if you are paying GH₵1 million every month, it is going to take over one year for all the farmers to be paid,” he added.
The Minority’s concerns follow the government’s recent announcement of the release of GH₵855 million to clear arrears owed to cocoa farmers. However, the caucus claims that farmers have yet to receive the funds.
Cocoa remains one of Ghana’s most important export commodities, and payment delays could have serious consequences for farmers’ livelihoods, particularly at a time when the country is grappling with global commodity price fluctuations and inflationary pressures.
The Minority is therefore calling on the government to expedite payments to farmers and ensure greater transparency in the management and disbursement of cocoa revenues. They warn that continued delays risk eroding confidence in the Ghana Cocoa Board and the broader cocoa sector.
