The COCOBOD has released GH¢2.6 billion to Licensed Buying Companies in a fresh effort to settle payments owed to cocoa farmers across the country, with nearly half of the amount earmarked to clear outstanding debts linked to cocoa purchased on credit.
The announcement comes as farmers in several cocoa growing communities continue to await payments for beans already delivered during the 2025 and 2026 crop season.
According to the Board, the latest disbursement forms part of a much larger financing programme that has seen GH¢34.52 billion transferred to Licensed Buying Companies since the season began for onward payment to farmers.
Of the GH¢2.6 billion released, approximately GH¢1.4 billion has been specifically set aside to settle the remaining balances owed to farmers whose cocoa was purchased on credit.
"Approximately GH¢1.4 billion has been earmarked to clear the remaining balance LBCs owe cocoa farmers for cocoa taken on credit," COCOBOD said in a statement.
The Board added that it is working directly with Licensed Buying Companies to ensure payments reach every affected farmer. Monitoring measures have also been introduced to track the movement of the funds and reduce delays in disbursement.
COCOBOD maintained that "no farmer will be denied payment for cocoa legitimately sold through the approved cocoa purchasing system," offering reassurance after weeks of concerns over delayed payments.
Farmers Asked to Engage Buying Companies
The Board is urging farmers whose payments remain outstanding to contact the Licensed Buying Company through which they sold their produce, saying the process of settling outstanding obligations is ongoing.
While acknowledging the patience shown by cocoa farmers, COCOBOD described their resilience as critical to sustaining one of Ghana's most valuable export industries.
Beyond clearing arrears, the Board says the latest release reflects the government's commitment to protecting farmer welfare and preserving confidence in Ghana's cocoa marketing system.
COCOBOD also reiterated its intention to work with government agencies and industry stakeholders to strengthen the cocoa value chain, improve livelihoods and safeguard the long term sustainability of the sector.
For thousands of cocoa farmers waiting on payments, however, the success of the announcement will be measured less by the size of the allocation and more by how quickly the money reaches their accounts.
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