The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to immediately pay cocoa farmers for cocoa beans sold since November 2025, warning that continued delays threaten the survival of the cocoa industry and the national economy.

Addressing a press conference in Accra, the Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, who is also a Member of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, expressed grave concern over what he described as the “precarious and distressing” situation facing cocoa farmers across the country.

According to the Minority, Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) have been unable to pay farmers for cocoa already purchased and delivered to COCOBOD because the Board has failed to reimburse them.

The Caucus disclosed that COCOBOD currently owes LBCs more than GHS10 billion in unpaid cocoa taken-over receipts (CTORs), resulting in severe cash flow constraints.

“As a result, LBCs are unwilling to commit further funds to the field, forcing farmers to sell their cocoa on credit, at discounted prices, or return home with unsold produce,” the Ranking Member stated.

The Minority rejected claims by COCOBOD that sufficient funds have been released to purchasing companies, describing recent public assurances by the Board as misleading.

They insisted that, in reality, farmers have not been paid for cocoa delivered over the past three months, plunging many into severe hardship.

The Caucus recounted distressing stories from cocoa-growing communities, including farmers who are unable to afford basic healthcare, purchase medication, or pay school fees for their children due to non-payment.

They noted that, for the first time in Ghana’s history, some cocoa farmers were forced to postpone Christmas celebrations because they had not received income from their produce.

The Minority further accused the government of reneging on campaign promises made ahead of the December 7 general elections.

They recalled that leading figures of the NDC, including the then Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee and the then Minority Leader, promised cocoa farmers producer prices of GHS6,000 and GHS7,000 per 64kg bag, respectively.

“Today, the prevailing farmgate price stands at GHS3,625 per bag — far below what was promised — and farmers are not even being paid this amount,” the Ranking Member lamented.

He also criticised reports that the government intends to reduce the current producer price in order to manage payments, describing such a move as a “betrayal of trust” that would further impoverish farmers.

The Minority accused the government of abandoning its own manifesto commitments, including pledges to ensure the timely release of funds to prevent cocoa smuggling and to prioritise investment in cocoa production over administrative expenditure.

Instead, they alleged that COCOBOD has engaged in extensive transfers, promotions and duplication of senior management positions, resulting in millions of cedis spent on administrative costs.

Beyond farmers, the Minority warned that indigenous cocoa buying companies, transporters and local enterprises are also being pushed to the brink as their working capital remains locked up due to delayed reimbursements.

The non-payment is crippling businesses, undermining confidence in indigenous enterprises and contradicting the NDC’s pre-election message of supporting local businesses,” the Caucus said.

The Minority concluded by issuing a series of demands, including the immediate payment of all outstanding monies owed to cocoa farmers, full reimbursement of LBCs for cocoa already delivered, and assurances of prompt payment for future deliveries.

They also demanded a formal apology from the government and COCOBOD for what they termed a “gross dereliction of duty.”

“Cocoa farmers are not beggars. Paying them promptly is not a favour; it is an obligation,” the Ranking Member stressed