Cocoa farmers in parts of the Ashanti Region have threatened to sell their farms to illegal miners after persistent delays by the government in paying for cocoa beans sold since November 2025.
The affected farmers said the delays have worsened their living conditions, creating hardships for them and their families
According to them, they have no choice but to seek alternative buyers or give in to pressure from illegal miners offering immediate cash.
Speaking to Citi News, an opinion leader of the Huu Akwanserem community in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region, Nana Owusu Asim Panin II, said his spirit is dampened due to the recent developments in the cocoa sector
“I sold my cocoa on November 28, 2025, but I still haven’t received any payment. I have children in school and a wife to provide for. It’s very difficult. If this problem isn’t fixed, we might end up selling our cocoa to Galamsey operators just to get our money,” he said.
Nana Owusu Asim Panin II also criticised the government for failing to honour its campaign promise to cocoa farmers, calling for leadership in the cocoa sector that understands the realities farmers face.
“We need a farmer as CEO of Ghana Cocoa because they understand our problems. Politics is killing us. Randy Abbey doesn’t know anything about farming; he just reads from books,” he added.
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