Cocoa farmers in Ghana say long delays in payments are preventing them from harvesting their crops, despite improved yields from good rains this season.
Some farmers report waiting up to six months to receive payment, leaving them financially drained.
As a result, many can no longer afford labour or cover harvesting costs, worsening the situation in a sector that supports about 800,000 farming families nationwide.
“I have cocoa on the trees that needs to be harvested, but there is no money to even do that,” said Ghana Cocoa Cooperatives Association Vice President Theophilus Tamakloe.
He added that the problem affects more than 340,000 members of the group.
Tamakloe said he has already harvested 14 bags of cocoa, weighing 896 kilograms, and stored them in his warehouse, but refuses to release them without immediate payment.
“I will only release them to an LBC (Licensed Buying Company) that pays me instantly,” he said. About 65 Licensed Buying Companies currently operate in Ghana.
Another farmer, Abdulai Adoswin, said he has harvested 300 bags so far this season, up from 190 bags at the same time last year.
However, he warned that further production could be affected if payments are not made promptly before the season ends in August or September.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) says it has begun releasing funds to Licensed Buying Companies to settle outstanding payments dating back to November.
However, sources within the companies say they are still waiting to be paid for cocoa already supplied and sold.
“My understanding is that COCOBOD has sold all the beans supplied for the 2025/26 season,” one source said, requesting anonymity.
“We are still waiting to be paid and I really don’t know what is going on anymore,” the source added.
COCOBOD has yet to provide a full update but says it will investigate the issue.
Ghana’s cocoa sector continues to face financial pressure, with the government reducing the fixed price paid to farmers due to cash shortages.
Production has also declined in recent years due to disease, ageing trees, illegal mining, and unpredictable weather.
Data from the Bank of Ghana shows cocoa export earnings dropped by about 20% year-on-year to 956.3 million cedis (around $86 million) in February.
