Accra: The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has disbursed GHS4.2 billion to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to settle payments for cocoa farmers who have been awaiting their dues since November 2025. This significant financial move is part of COCOBOD's ongoing efforts to address outstanding debts within the cocoa sector and rebuild trust among farmers and other stakeholders. This action is a follow-up to the reforms announced in February by Cassiel Ato Forson aimed at restructuring the industry and resolving arrears throughout the cocoa value chain.
According to Ghana Web, COCOBOD's Head of Public Affairs, Jerome Sam, stated in an interview with Citi FM that the funds have been disbursed to LBCs to facilitate payments to farmers. While some farmers have received their payments, others are still waiting due to previous financing arrangements. Sam explained, 'Since 2023, challenges with the syndicated loan meant LBCs sometimes pre-financed cocoa purchases, and COCOBOD later reimburses them. That explains why some farmers have already been paid while others are still awaiting their dues.'
Sam further emphasized COCOBOD's commitment to improving liquidity within the cocoa purchasing system to ensure timely payments, which is crucial for sustaining production across Ghana's cocoa-growing regions. 'We are committed to settling every cedi owed to LBCs so they can clear outstanding debts with farmers. Our goal is to complete all payments before the close of the 2025/2026 cocoa season, expected around August or September,' he added.