The Young Cocoa Farmers Association has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to urgently address growing concerns over the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season, particularly funding for cocoa purchases, producer prices and the welfare of farmers.
In a petition dated August 17, 2026, signed by the Association’s Executive Secretary, Madam Adwoa Mensah, and Convenor, Martin Adu, the Association said the difficulties experienced during the 2025/2026 season had left many cocoa farmers financially distressed and uncertain about the future of the industry.
According to the group, many young cocoa farmers failed to meet their production targets and expected incomes during the previous season, making it difficult for some farming households to meet basic needs, pay school fees, access healthcare and maintain their farms.
The Association said the situation was worsened by financial challenges faced by Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks, many of whom allegedly lacked adequate funds to purchase cocoa beans during the minor season.
It noted that farmers traditionally depend on advances and credit facilities from buyers during the period to sustain their farming activities until the main harvest, but said the financial difficulties confronting buyers had limited their ability to provide such support.
“This situation has placed severe financial pressure on farmers and threatens the sustainability of cocoa production,” the Association said.
The group said uncertainty over the upcoming cocoa season was also making it difficult for farmers to plan investments, labour arrangements, input purchases and production targets.
It is therefore asking the government to provide clarity on whether adequate funds will be available to purchase cocoa throughout the 2026/2027 season and what measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence of the financing challenges experienced during the previous season.
The Association is also seeking clarity on whether the current producer price of cocoa will be maintained or reduced, as well as the official commencement date for the new purchasing season.
Additionally, it wants the government to clarify the policy under which cocoa farmers are expected to receive 70 percent of the value of cocoa.
The group has further called for direct engagement between government and cocoa farmers on the 2026 Cocoa Bill, including a detailed explanation of its provisions, implications and expected benefits to farmers.
The Young Cocoa Farmers Association stressed that cocoa farmers remain critical to Ghana’s economy and deserve timely information and policy certainty to enable them to plan effectively.
It appealed to President Mahama and his government to engage stakeholders urgently ahead of the new season, arguing that such engagement would help restore confidence among farmers and strengthen the sustainability of the cocoa sector.
The Association also called for cocoa prices that reflect the true cost of production and provide farmers with a reasonable return on their investment.
Read the statement below:
Date: 17th August, 2026
H.E. JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA
President of the Republic of Ghana
Jubilee House
Accra, Ghana
PETITION FOR CLARITY, ASSURANCE, AND URGENT INTERVENTION AHEAD OF THE 2026/2027 COCOA PURCHASING SEASON
Your Excellency,
We write on behalf of the Young Cocoa Farmers Association to respectfully bring to your attention the growing concerns, uncertainty, and hardships confronting cocoa farmers across Ghana as we approach the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season.
Cocoa remains one of Ghana’s most important economic commodities and a major source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of farming families. However, the experiences of cocoa farmers during the 2025/2026 season have left many discouraged, financially distressed, and uncertain about the future of the sector.
The season was characterized by significant challenges that negatively affected cocoa production, marketing, and the welfare of farmers. Many young cocoa farmers were unable to achieve their production targets and expected incomes. As a result, numerous farming households struggled to meet their basic needs, support their families, finance their children’s education, access healthcare, and undertake essential farm maintenance activities.
Your Excellency, the current situation within the cocoa sector remains deeply concerning. Many Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks did not have adequate funds to purchase cocoa beans from farmers during the minor season. Consequently, it was difficult for farmers to sell their produce and access much needed income.
Traditionally, this period allows farmers to rely on support from buyers through advances and credit facilities to sustain farming operations until the main harvest season. Unfortunately, many buyers are themselves facing financial constraints and are unable to provide such support. This situation has placed severe financial pressure on farmers and threatens the sustainability of cocoa production.
The uncertainty surrounding the upcoming 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season has heightened anxiety among cocoa farmers nationwide. Farmers are unable to make informed decisions regarding farm investments, labour arrangements, input purchases, and production targets because key information concerning the new season remains unclear.
In view of the foregoing, we respectfully petition Your Excellency and your Government to provide urgent clarity on the following matters:
1. Whether adequate funds will be made available to facilitate the purchase of cocoa beans throughout the 2026/2027 cocoa season.
2. Whether measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence of the financial challenges that affected cocoa purchases during the previous season.
3. Whether the producer price of cocoa will remain stable or be subjected to any reduction.
4. The official commencement date of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season.
5. Clarity on the policy that cocoa farmers should receive 70% of the cocoa value (price)
6. Engage cocoa farmers on the 2026 Cocoa Bill and provide a detailed explanation of its key provisions, implications, and benefits for farmers.
Your Excellency, cocoa farmers are the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa industry and among the largest contributors to the country’s export earnings. We therefore deserve timely information, policy certainty, and the assurance that our sacrifices and contributions are recognized and valued.
We respectfully appeal to your Government to engage stakeholders and provide clear direction ahead of the commencement of the new season. Such a move will restore confidence within the sector and enable farmers to plan effectively for the future.
Farmers deserve prices that reflect the true cost of production and provide a reasonable return on our investment.
We trust that our concerns will receive your urgent attention and favourable consideration.
Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
For and on behalf of the Young Cocoa Farmers Association
Signed
Madam Adwoa Mensah
Executive Secretary
Young Cocoa Farmers Association
0500582111
Signed
Martin Adu
Convenor
Young Cocoa Farmers Association
0504147580
CC:
– Chief Executive Officer, Ghana COCOBOD
– Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament
– Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs
– Minister for Finance
– Minister for Food and Agriculture
– All Media Houses
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