Cocoa farmers in the Oti Region are raising alarm over severe economic hardship, following prolonged delays in payment for cocoa beans supplied to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and licensed buying companies.
Some farmers claim they have not been paid since November 2025, a situation they say has disrupted farming activities, strained household finances, and left many families struggling to meet basic needs.
The developing crisis is drawing concern across cocoa-growing communities, where farmers depend heavily on seasonal income to maintain their farms and support their families.
With payments outstanding for several months, many farmers say they are unable to purchase inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, hire labour for farm maintenance, or prepare adequately for the next production cycle.
During a visit to Kechiebi, a prominent cocoa-farming community in the Nkwanta South Municipality, several farmers described how the delay has pushed them into desperation.
Some say they have abandoned stored beans after losing hope of timely payment, leading to spoilage and further financial loss.
Speaking to Adom News, cocoa farmer John Kwabena Ofori expressed disappointment over what he described as government’s failure to ensure prompt payment for cocoa already supplied.
He said the situation has created “untold hardship” for farmers who have waited for more than six months without receiving their money.
According to Mr Ofori, the hardship is being felt most sharply at home, where families are reportedly struggling to cater for basic needs, including children’s school fees.
He explained that many farmers in the area feel trapped, with no alternative sources of income, and have been forced to watch their cocoa go to waste as the delays persist.
Other farmers in the community shared similar concerns, saying they have also been unpaid for beans sold since November 2025.
The farmers warned that if the situation is not addressed urgently, they may refuse to sell under the current conditions, citing both the impact of falling cocoa prices and the lack of commitment to clear arrears.
The farmers are calling for immediate intervention from COCOBOD and relevant authorities to ensure outstanding payments are settled without further delay.
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