Cocoa farmers petition Mahama over prices, funding and 2026/27 season

Cocoa farmers have petitioned President John Dramani Mahama over what they describe as serious financial and policy uncertainties facing the cocoa sector ahead of the 2026/2027 purchasing season.

The Young Cocoa Farmers Association says many farmers struggled during the 2025/2026 season because some Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks did not have enough money to buy cocoa beans.

It says the difficulties prevented some farmers from accessing income when they needed it most, leaving farming households struggling to pay for food, education, healthcare and essential farm maintenance.

In a petition dated 17 August, the association asked the president to provide urgent clarity on how the government intends to finance cocoa purchases throughout the coming season.

The farmers are also seeking assurances that the financial difficulties experienced during the previous season will not be repeated.

Farmers want clarity on cocoa price

Another major concern is the producer price of cocoa.

The association wants to know whether the current producer price will remain unchanged or be reduced when the new purchasing season begins.

It is also asking the government to clarify a policy under which cocoa farmers are expected to receive 70% of the value of cocoa.

The farmers say they need timely information on pricing to make decisions about labour, farm inputs, investment and production.

"Farmers deserve prices that reflect the true cost of production and provide a reasonable return on our investment," the association said in its petition.

Concerns over 2026 Cocoa Bill

The Young Cocoa Farmers Association is also calling for direct engagement with farmers over the 2026 Cocoa Bill.

It wants the government to explain the bill's key provisions, as well as what they would mean for cocoa farmers and the future of the industry.

The association argues that farmers, whom it describes as the backbone of Ghana's cocoa industry, should have access to clear information before major policy decisions affecting their livelihoods are implemented.

Financing problems

According to the petition, the difficulties were particularly significant during the minor season, when farmers traditionally depend on buyers for advances and credit to sustain their farms until the main harvest.

The association says financial constraints affecting some buyers meant that this support was not always available.

"This situation has placed severe financial pressure on farmers and threatens the sustainability of cocoa production," it said.

The association did not provide figures for the number of farmers affected or the volume of cocoa that it says could not be purchased because of the financing difficulties.

What farmers are asking for

The association has asked President Mahama and his government to clarify six issues:

• whether sufficient funds will be available to buy cocoa throughout the 2026/2027 season;

• what measures are being taken to prevent a repeat of the previous season's financing difficulties;

• whether the producer price will remain stable or be reduced;

• when the 2026/2027 purchasing season will officially begin;

• how the policy requiring farmers to receive 70% of the cocoa value will work; and

• how farmers will be engaged on the 2026 Cocoa Bill.

The group says resolving these questions before the new season would allow farmers to plan their production, labour and investment more effectively.

The petition was signed by the association's executive secretary, Madam Adwoa Mensah, and its convenor, Martin Adu. It was copied to the chief executive of Ghana's cocoa regulator, COCOBOD.

The petition represents the farmers' account of the difficulties they experienced during the 2025/2026 season.

The document does not include a response from the government or COCOBOD to the concerns raised.

The association says restoring confidence among farmers will require clear communication and policy certainty before the next cocoa purchasing season begins.