The Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Jerome Kwaku Sam, has announced an additional payment of GH¢854 million to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), bringing total disbursements to GH¢1.091 billion.

This follows an earlier payment of GH¢237 million for 50,000 metric tonnes of cocoa. The announcement comes amid ongoing challenges in Ghana’s cocoa sector, where farmers have reported delays in receiving payments for several months.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Sam stated:
"COCOBOD this morning, 19th Feb, 2026 has made payment of GH¢854m, totalling GH¢1.091bn to LBCs."

The government recently implemented reforms in the cocoa sector, including a reduction in the producer price for the remainder of the 2025/26 crop season. The new price is set at GH¢41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH¢2,587 per bag, with authorities explaining that the adjustment aims to protect farmers amid falling global cocoa prices.

Meanwhile, COCOBOD revealed it could save an estimated GH¢5 million per month following salary reductions for executive management and senior staff. Executives are taking a 20% pay cut, while senior staff will have 10% deducted from their salaries. The reductions, which took effect immediately, will remain in place for the rest of the 2025/26 crop year.

The decision, announced in a press release on Monday, February 16, 2026, is part of broader measures to address liquidity challenges within the cocoa sector.