The Young Cocoa Farmers Association has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to urgently address concerns surrounding the upcoming 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season, calling for clear information, policy certainty and government intervention.
In a petition submitted on Monday and signed by Executive Secretary Madam Adwoa Mensah and Convenor Martin Adu, the Association highlighted the financial and operational difficulties faced by young cocoa farmers during the 2025/2026 cocoa season.
According to the group, many young cocoa farmers failed to achieve their expected production levels and income targets, leaving several households struggling to meet basic expenses, including children’s school fees, healthcare costs, household needs and farm maintenance expenses.
Cocoa Farmers Face Funding Challenges
The Young Cocoa Farmers Association said several Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks experienced serious financial difficulties during the minor cocoa season.
As a result, some buyers reportedly lacked the funds needed to purchase cocoa beans from farmers, making it difficult for producers to sell their harvest and generate the income required to support their families and reinvest in their farms.
The Association noted that traditional financial support mechanisms, including advances and credit arrangements from cocoa buyers, were also largely unavailable because of the financial challenges confronting Licensed Buying Companies.
The situation, it said, has created significant uncertainty among cocoa farmers as the 2026/2027 season approaches.
Young Cocoa Farmers Demand Clarity From Government
The Association explained that farmers need reliable information about the new cocoa season to make important decisions regarding farm investments, labour, agricultural inputs and production targets.
However, the lack of clarity on key policies and arrangements for the 2026/2027 cocoa season is making it difficult for farmers to plan effectively.
The group is therefore calling on President Mahama and his government to provide urgent answers to several critical questions.
Among the issues raised are:
- Cocoa financing: Whether sufficient funds will be made available to enable Licensed Buying Companies to purchase cocoa beans throughout the 2026/2027 season.
- Preventing another funding crisis: Whether the government has introduced measures to prevent the financial challenges experienced during the previous cocoa season from recurring.
- Cocoa producer price: Whether the current producer price of cocoa will remain unchanged or be reduced for the new season.
- Opening date: The official date for the commencement of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season.
- 70% cocoa value policy: Clarification on the policy requiring cocoa farmers to receive 70% of the value or price of cocoa.
- 2026 Cocoa Bill: Meaningful engagement with cocoa farmers on the 2026 Cocoa Bill, including detailed information about its major provisions, expected impact and potential benefits to producers.
Farmers Call for Fair Cocoa Prices
The Young Cocoa Farmers Association stressed that cocoa farmers remain central to Ghana’s cocoa industry and make a significant contribution to the country’s export earnings.
The Association is therefore calling for timely communication, predictable government policies and greater recognition of the contribution made by cocoa producers to the Ghanaian economy.
It argued that cocoa farmers deserve fair producer prices that reflect the actual cost of production while providing a reasonable return on their investment.
The group believes greater certainty around cocoa pricing, financing and government policy will help farmers plan their operations, invest in their farms and sustain cocoa production.
Copies of the petition have been submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, the Speaker of Parliament, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, as well as media organisations.
The Association is hoping for a swift response from the government ahead of the start of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season.
Source: newsthemegh.com