Accra, Ghana – July 2, 2026 — The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has announced the release of GH¢2.6 billion to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to facilitate the payment of cocoa farmers across the country’s cocoa-growing regions, in a move aimed at clearing outstanding debts and restoring confidence in Ghana’s cocoa purchasing system.
In a press release issued on Thursday, COCOBOD said the funds have been disbursed to ensure farmers receive payments for cocoa they have supplied through the approved purchasing system.
“The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) wishes to inform all cocoa farmers and the general public that an amount of Two Billion, Six Hundred Million Ghana Cedis (GH¢2.6 billion) has been released to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) for payment to cocoa farmers for cocoa purchases across all cocoa regions.”
According to the Board, it has already paid GH¢34.52 billion to Licensed Buying Companies since the start of the 2025/26 crop season for onward payment to cocoa farmers.
COCOBOD disclosed that approximately GH¢1.4 billion of the newly released funds has been specifically earmarked to clear the remaining balances owed to farmers for cocoa that was purchased on credit.
“Accordingly, out of the GH¢2.6 billion released today, approximately GH¢1.4 billion has been earmarked to clear the remaining balance LBCs owe cocoa farmers for cocoa taken on credit.”
The Board assured farmers that measures have been put in place to guarantee that the funds reach their intended beneficiaries. It said it is working closely with Licensed Buying Companies while strengthening monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the payment process.
“COCOBOD is working closely with the Licensed Buying Companies to ensure that all affected farmers receive their payments. The Board has also instituted monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the funds reach the farmers who are owed.”
The statement acknowledged the patience shown by cocoa farmers during the period of delayed payments and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to ensuring that no farmer loses payment for cocoa legitimately sold through the official purchasing system.
“COCOBOD acknowledges the patience, resilience, and understanding demonstrated by cocoa farmers during this challenging period and wishes to assure all cocoa farmers that no farmer will be denied payment for cocoa legitimately sold through the approved cocoa purchasing system.”
The Board encouraged farmers who are yet to receive payment to engage directly with the Licensed Buying Company through which they sold their cocoa, adding that it will continue collaborating with all stakeholders until every outstanding obligation is settled.
“Farmers with outstanding payments are encouraged to engage the relevant Licensed Buying Company through which they sold their cocoa. COCOBOD will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure the full settlement of outstanding obligations.”
COCOBOD described the release of the funds as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of cocoa farmers while safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
“The release of these funds underscores the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of cocoa farmers and preserving the integrity of Ghana’s cocoa industry.”
The Board further expressed appreciation to cocoa farmers for their continued dedication and contribution to Ghana’s economy, pledging to work with government and industry stakeholders to strengthen the cocoa value chain, improve farmer welfare, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector.
“COCOBOD expresses its sincere appreciation to all cocoa farmers for their continued dedication and invaluable contribution to Ghana’s economy.”
The latest disbursement is expected to bring relief to thousands of cocoa farmers awaiting payments while reinforcing confidence in Ghana’s cocoa marketing system, a key pillar of the country’s agricultural economy.
