Cocoa farmers have staged a picket at the headquarters of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in Accra, escalating protests over falling producer prices and delayed payments which they say are driving farming households into economic hardship.
Holding placards and chanting slogans, the farmers accused authorities of failing to fulfil commitments to safeguard their livelihoods. They argued that persistent delays in payments and concerns about pricing structures have left many producers struggling to meet basic needs, service debts, and prepare adequately for subsequent farming seasons.
The messages on the placards reflected deep frustration among the farmers, who say their incomes have steadily eroded despite their central role in sustaining one of Ghana’s most vital export sectors.
They argued that while cocoa remains a backbone of the national economy, many producers at the grassroots level feel increasingly marginalised and inadequately compensated for their labour and rising production costs.
The protesters are demanding an immediate upward review of the cocoa producer price, arguing that current rates no longer reflect rising production costs and global market realities.
They are also calling for the prompt settlement of outstanding payments owed to them by Licensed Buying Companies operating under the supervision of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), insisting that delays are severely affecting their livelihoods and the sustainability of cocoa farming in their communities.
“The prices were not reduced under the previous regimes; why is this administration reducing it? We have no problem with the government — they should just leave the prices to remain the same,” a frustrated woman told journalists during the protest.
According to the farmers, persistent delays in payment coupled with the recent downward adjustment in cocoa prices have made it increasingly difficult for them to meet basic household needs, including paying school fees, accessing healthcare, and maintaining their farms. They warn that if the situation is not addressed urgently, it could discourage cocoa production and further strain rural livelihoods.
“We depend entirely on cocoa. When payments delay or prices drop, our families suffer,” one protester said, explaining that many farmers are now unable to adequately prepare for the next crop season due to a lack of funds.
The demonstration at the headquarters of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) follows similar protests in cocoa-growing areas, particularly in the Western North Region, where farmers marched through major towns to express opposition to the reduced farmgate price.
The farmers say the sustained protests reflect mounting pressure on cocoa-dependent communities and are urging authorities to engage them in meaningful dialogue to address their concerns.
The unrest comes at a time when Ghana’s cocoa sector is grappling with broader challenges, including global price volatility, declining output in some producing areas, and mounting financial pressures on the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
Although COCOBOD has announced the release of funds to Licensed Buying Companies to facilitate payments to farmers, many producers insist that the relief has not yet reached them at the farmgate level. They argue that until payments are made directly and promptly, the announced interventions offer little immediate relief to struggling farming households.
Farmer groups have warned that without swift intervention, many producers may be forced to abandon cocoa farming or significantly scale back investment in their farms.
They caution that reduced spending on inputs such as fertiliser, pesticides, and farm maintenance could negatively impact yields in subsequent seasons, posing longer-term risks to Ghana’s cocoa output and export earnings.
