President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over Ghana’s failure to secure sustainable funding for the cocoa sector, warning that the situation has weakened the Ghana Cocoa Board’s (COCOBOD) long-standing ability to raise syndicated financing.
Addressing the matter on Wednesday, February 11, the President admitted there have been challenges in the management of state-owned enterprises.
“Our handling of state-owned enterprises has at times been uneven. Weak governance frameworks, political interference, and inadequate financial discipline have undermined institutions that were once engines of stability and credibility.
“We failed to raise sustainable funding for cocoa and COCOBOD’s capacity to syndicate effectively. These are not points of blame, but lessons in responsibility,” he stated.
Meanwhile, cocoa farmers across the country have threatened to demonstrate over unpaid monies owed by COCOBOD for cocoa beans supplied since November 2025. They say months of delayed payments have plunged them into severe financial hardship, affecting their ability to meet basic needs such as healthcare and school fees.
In response, Cabinet is holding an emergency meeting to address the payment delays and the broader financial strain within the cocoa sector, as authorities seek measures to prevent further disruption and safeguard farmers’ livelihoods.
Be frank, independent and evidence-based – Mahama to Economic Advisory Group
