Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has unveiled immediate reforms to restore financial stability and ensure the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa industry.

The announcement follows an emergency Cabinet meeting held yesterday, February 11, 2026, to address mounting challenges in the sector.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Forson cited structural weaknesses, financing constraints, and adverse global market conditions as factors contributing to the current crisis.

He stressed that the measures are not proposals but Cabinet-approved actions for immediate implementation.

The reforms will focus on four main areas:

- the payment of outstanding arrears to cocoa farmers

- the introduction of a new COCOBOD Bill

- the launch of a new financing model for cocoa purchases

- efforts to increase local processing of cocoa beans.

Dr Forson further revealed that Cabinet has instructed the Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine to conduct a concurrent forensic audit and criminal investigation into COCOBOD’s operations over the past eight years to ensure accountability.

Additionally, the ministry of finance will implement operational reforms at COCOBOD to streamline activities, reduce costs, and eliminate wasteful expenditure, aiming to restore confidence in the sector.