Following weeks of mounting pressure from unpaid cocoa farmers and industry stakeholders, the government has rolled out emergency measures to fast-track payments within Ghana’s cocoa sector. The decision was reached after an extended emergency Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday to confront the sector’s deepening liquidity challenges.
Announcing the outcome of the meeting, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said Cabinet had also approved a broad reform agenda described as the most comprehensive overhaul of the cocoa industry in Ghana’s history. The reforms aim to reposition the sector by prioritising domestic processing and value addition over the export of raw cocoa beans.
The intervention comes against the backdrop of prolonged payment delays affecting farmers who supplied cocoa beans as far back as November 2025. The Ghana Cocoa Board is currently burdened with outstanding debts exceeding GH¢10 billion owed to Licensed Buying Companies, a situation that has strained operations across the value chain.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said Cabinet took firm decisions to stabilise the sector and restore confidence among farmers and industry players. He explained that government is committed to accelerating farmer payments while simultaneously restructuring the cocoa industry to ensure long-term sustainability.
Central to the reform package is a comprehensive restructuring of COCOBOD, aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and overall management of the sector. The changes are expected to strengthen governance, reduce inefficiencies and create a more resilient cocoa economy.
Further details on the reforms and their financing are expected on Wednesday, when the Minister for Finance addresses the nation at 11:00 a.m. The briefing will outline the implementation framework and funding strategy underpinning the government’s emergency response and broader sector reforms.
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