The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA) has accused the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) of being responsible for persistent payment delays and systemic inefficiencies within the cocoa purchasing sector.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa, the National Public Relations Officer for the association, noted that members were compelled to conduct an independent investigation into why payments have stalled and why the government appeared to have ceased purchasing local cocoa.
As part of this inquiry, representatives travelled to the Oti Region, where they reportedly discovered that state officials had purchased cocoa and stored it at facilities belonging to Produce Buying Companies (PBCs).
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Madam Asantewaa alleged that further findings revealed funds intended for local farmers are instead being diverted to purchase cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and other neighbouring countries where prices are lower.
She explained that cocoa is being sourced from these nations at GH₵1,300, significantly less than the GH₵2,500 rate paid to Ghanaian farmers.
She warned that if these issues remain unresolved, farmers may be forced to seek alternative buyers in foreign markets.
These remarks were made in response to a petition dated 11 May 2026, signed by GNACOFA National President Stephenson Anane Boateng.
The petition highlights the undue hardship faced by smallholder farmers across the nation due to the failure of COCOBOD-authorised purchasing clerks to settle payments for delivered produce.
Despite repeated grievances, the association maintains that no meaningful effort has been made to address these threats to farmers’ livelihoods.
GNACOFA emphasised that under current legislation, farmers are prohibited from selling cocoa to any entity other than the Government of Ghana via COCOBOD and its licensed buying companies.
This legal framework, the association argues, creates a binding obligation for the government to ensure prompt and full payment upon delivery.
Expressing her profound disappointment, Madam Asantewaa lamented: “Our leaders in charge are using monies meant to pay us to buy cocoa from Togo and Côte d’Ivoire because they get it cheaper at a price of GH₵1,300. This is alarming and destroying our sector. Our leaders want to destroy the cocoa sector because of their greed and love for personal gain. They only think of what they will get and ignore the progress of the sector. We are therefore calling on the Government to, with immediate effect, make a pronouncement on the matter if they know nothing about what is happening. We have been made aware that the Deputy CEO is the one doing that. They are cheating Ghanaian cocoa farmers while they fill their pockets.”
When questioned about the severity of these allegations and her readiness to defend them in court, she maintained that their evidence, supported by information from PBC staff, identifies the Deputy CEO as the individual involved.
She further alleged that a company in which the Deputy CEO holds an interest is spearheading these activities.
Madam Asantewaa called for total transparency from the government, suggesting that if it can no longer sustainably purchase cocoa under the current framework, it must inform the public. In her concluding remarks, she urged for swift intervention to restore confidence in the industry:”We respectfully urge immediate action to address these concerns and restore confidence in Ghana’s cocoa sector. We have consistently stated that government after government has failed in prioritising the cocoa sector.”
