COCOBOD Disburses GH¢4.2 Billion to Settle Cocoa Farmers’ Arrears
March 12,2026
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has released approximately GH¢4.2 billion to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to enable them pay cocoa farmers who have been owed since November last year.
The payment is part of ongoing efforts to clear outstanding arrears in the cocoa sector and restore confidence among farmers and other stakeholders within the industry.
The move follows recent reforms announced by Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister of Ghana, aimed at restructuring the cocoa sector and addressing debts owed to farmers and other players along the cocoa value chain.
Speaking in an interview with Citi Business News, the Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Jerome Sam, indicated that the board is working to ensure that all outstanding payments to cocoa farmers are cleared before the end of the 2025/2026 cocoa season.
According to him, the GH¢4.2 billion had already been transferred to Licensed Buying Companies as of last week to facilitate payments to farmers.
He explained that while some farmers are still awaiting payment, others have already received their money due to financing arrangements between COCOBOD and the Licensed Buying Companies.
“Some of the payments are recent, while others date back a while. In 2023, when there were challenges with the syndicated loan, Licensed Buying Companies sometimes pre-financed cocoa purchases. COCOBOD subsequently reimburses them for those transactions,” he explained.
Jerome Sam further noted that COCOBOD remains committed to improving liquidity within the cocoa purchasing system to ensure prompt payment to farmers and maintain production across cocoa-growing areas in Ghana.
He added that the board hopes to complete all outstanding payments before the close of the cocoa season, expected around August or September.
