Volta, Oti cocoa farmers cry over unpaid beans

Cocoa farmers in Ghana's Volta and Oti Regions are urgently appealing to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for overdue payments for cocoa beans. These farmers, numbering around 400, supplied their produce to licensed buyers as early as November 2025 but have yet to receive compensation.

This situation stands in stark contrast to claims made by the Concerned Cocoa Farmers Association of Ghana, which stated that all cocoa farmers nationwide have been fully paid. The affected farmers express deep disappointment and confusion over these conflicting reports, emphasizing that they are still awaiting their money.

Mr. Emmanuel Acquah, the Chief Cocoa Farmer at Akpafu-Odomi in the Oti Region, highlighted the severe financial strain the delayed payments have imposed. "Cocoa farming is our main source of livelihood, and the delay in payment has brought untold hardship to us," he lamented. Many farmers are struggling to cover essential expenses like school fees and basic household needs.

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we are still waiting for our money.

The payment process has been further complicated by the involvement of different entities. Farmers initially supplied beans to Produce Buying Company (PBC), which later stopped purchasing. A private company, Atlas, then took over, using government facilities, only for PBC to re-assume control of the beans. This complex chain has exacerbated the payment delays.

The hardship has reportedly taken a tragic toll, with two chief cocoa farmers allegedly dying after hearing the announcement that all farmers had been paid, succumbing to prolonged financial distress. The farmers have reported the matter to the police and are considering peaceful demonstrations and a march to Parliament if their concerns are not addressed.

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Cocoa farming is our main source of livelihood, and the delay in payment has brought untold hardship to us