The Young Cocoa Farmers Association has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to provide urgent clarity on key issues ahead of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season, citing growing uncertainty and financial difficulties confronting farmers.
In a petition dated Monday, August 17, 2026, the Association said the challenges experienced during the 2025/2026 season had left many cocoa farmers financially distressed and uncertain about the future of the sector.
It said many young farmers failed to meet their production targets and expected incomes, leaving farming households struggling to meet basic needs, pay school fees, access healthcare and undertake essential farm maintenance.
The Association also expressed concern over difficulties faced by farmers in selling their cocoa during the minor season, attributing the situation partly to financial constraints affecting Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks.
According to the farmers, many buyers lacked sufficient funds to purchase cocoa beans, while others were unable to provide the advances and credit facilities traditionally used by farmers to sustain their operations until the main crop season.
The group said uncertainty over the upcoming season was also making it difficult for farmers to plan investments, arrange labour, purchase inputs and set production targets.
It therefore called on the government to clarify whether adequate funds would be made available to support cocoa purchases throughout the 2026/2027 season and whether measures had been introduced to prevent a recurrence of the financial difficulties experienced during the previous season.
The Association also wants the government to clarify whether the producer price of cocoa will remain stable or be reduced and announce the official commencement date of the new purchasing season.
Another key demand is clarification on the policy under which cocoa farmers are expected to receive 70 per cent of the value of cocoa.
“In view of the foregoing, we respectfully petition Your Excellency and your Government to provide urgent clarity on the following matters: Whether adequate funds will be made available to facilitate the purchase of cocoa beans throughout the 2026/2027 cocoa season.
“Whether measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence of the financial challenges that affected cocoa purchases during the previous season. Whether the producer price of cocoa will remain stable or will be subjected to any reduction. The official commencement date of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season,” part of the petition said.
The farmers further called for direct engagement with them on the proposed 2026 Cocoa Bill, including detailed explanations of its provisions, implications and expected benefits to cocoa producers.
The Association said timely information and policy certainty were critical to restoring confidence among farmers ahead of the new season.
“Farmers deserve prices that reflect the true cost of production and provide a reasonable return on our investment,” it said.
It appealed to President Mahama and his government to engage stakeholders and provide clear direction before the commencement of the 2026/2027 cocoa season.
According to the Association, such engagement would enable farmers to plan effectively and assure them that their contribution to Ghana’s economy and cocoa industry is recognised and valued.
Credit:- Citinewsroom
