Minority Raises Concern Over Delayed Payments to Cocoa Farmers Despite GH₵855 Million Release

The Minority in Parliament has expressed concern over delays in paying cocoa farmers, despite recent government efforts to release GH₵855 million to settle outstanding arrears.

Speaking during a debate on the State of the Nation Address delivered by President John Dramani Mahama, Isaac Yaw Opoku, Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs Committee, described the situation as unfair to farmers.

“They are finding all sorts of reasons not to pay cocoa farmers. A promised GH₵6,000 became GH₵419. The producer price was increased from GH₵31,000 to GH₵36,000, yet payments were not made. Now it has been reduced to GH₵2,587, and even that amount has not been paid,” he said.

Opoku further revealed that COCOBOD owes Licensed Buying Companies over GH₵11 billion. “If payments are made at GH₵1 million per month, it will take more than a year for all farmers to be paid,” he added, highlighting the severe delays in disbursing funds to cocoa producers.