Ghana Cocoa Farmers Report Payment Delays Since November
Ghana’s cocoa farmers say they have not been paid for cocoa supplied since November, leaving many households under acute financial pressure. The Ghana National Association of Cocoa Farmers (GNACOF) says growers are struggling to meet basic needs, and some were unable to properly observe the Christmas and New Year period because of the cash squeeze.
The payment delays are being linked to broader funding constraints at COCOBOD. For decades, COCOBOD typically relied on receivables-backed syndicated loans from international lenders to pre-finance cocoa purchases, providing “seed money” that helped Licensed Buying Companies pay farmers promptly during the harvest period. According to reporting on the issue, that syndicated-loan model has not been used in recent seasons, contributing to a liquidity gap across the value chain.
GNACOF President Stevenson Anane Boateng, speaking on Rainbow Radio, said farmers have not been given clear explanations for the delays, stressing that cocoa is still being purchased while payments to farmers remain outstanding.
Beyond the immediate arrears, farmer groups are also pressing for stronger welfare protections, calling for measures such as a pension scheme, improved health insurance, and better access to healthcare services for cocoa-growing communities. They warned that failure to address these concerns could trigger nationwide demonstrations.
