Delayed Payments to Cocoa Farmers Risk Social and Economic Disruption – Educate Africa Institute
The Educate Africa Institute (EAI) has called on the government and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to immediately settle outstanding payments owed to cocoa farmers for produce supplied since November 2025, warning that further delays could trigger wider social and economic consequences.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, William Boadi, the policy think tank described the situation as a growing crisis, citing reports from the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association that many cocoa-growing households are facing severe financial distress due to prolonged non-payment.
According to EAI, the delay in settling arrears has affected farmers’ ability to meet basic household needs, including food, healthcare and education, with some rural communities experiencing worsening economic hardship.
“This crisis is not abstract. It is real and personal,” the statement said, noting that cocoa farming families are grappling with rising production costs while waiting months to be paid for already delivered produce.
The institute argued that withholding payments after cocoa beans have been supplied undermines livelihoods and poses risks to social stability in cocoa-growing areas. It urged government and COCOBOD to act decisively to prevent further deterioration in the welfare of farmers and their dependents.
EAI cautioned that continued delays could erode confidence in the cocoa sector, which remains a key contributor to Ghana’s export earnings and rural employment.
The government and COCOBOD are yet to officially respond to the concerns raised by the institute.
