COCOBOD begins GHc237m payment to Cocoa farmers - CEO announces
18th February 2026
The Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Jerome Kwaku Sam, has announced that GH¢237 million has been paid to cocoa farmers for 50,000 metric tonnes of cocoa.
The payment comes at a time when Ghana’s cocoa sector is facing significant challenges, with farmers raising concerns over delayed payments in recent months.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, February 18, Mr. Sam stated, “I’m happy to report COCOBOD has started payment of the 50,000 metric tonnes. An amount of GH¢237 million has been paid.”
The government recently rolled out reforms within the sector, including a reduction in the producer price for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season. The revised price has been set at GH¢41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH¢2,587 per bag. Authorities say the adjustment is aimed at cushioning farmers against declining global cocoa prices.
Meanwhile, COCOBOD has disclosed that it expects to save an estimated GH¢5 million monthly following salary reductions for its executive management and senior staff. The pay cuts — 20 percent for executive management and 10 percent for senior staff — took immediate effect and will remain in place for the rest of the 2025/2026 crop year.
The decision, announced in a press release dated Monday, February 16, 2026, forms part of broader measures to address liquidity challenges within the cocoa sector.