Reporting for Ghana News, Canada |By Boakye Stephen

Ghana’s cocoa sector is facing mounting tension as farmers across the country report months of unpaid produce while political and industry leaders publicly dispute the reasons behind the delays. With radio and television discussions intensifying, new statements on TV3 Live and Rock FM have added fuel to a national debate over loans, leadership decisions, and the financial management of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

From November 2025 to February 2026, cocoa-growing communities across Ghana have continued to raise alarm over delayed payments and uncertainty in the cocoa purchasing system. Reports from radio discussions, particularly a Thursday, 5 February 2026 broadcast on Rock FM, suggest that cocoa buyers in several rural areas have struggled to pay farmers because funds within the cocoa financing chain have slowed or stalled.

For many rural families, cocoa income is their main source of livelihood. When payments delay for weeks or months, the impact spreads quickly: farm maintenance stops, debts rise, and confidence in the system weakens.

New Allegations Raised on Radio

In addition to earlier concerns about loans, debt, and pricing, new allegations have surfaced in public discussions.

According to paraphrased remarks reported from Rock FM:

Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, described as a ranking member on agricultural and cocoa affairs within the minority leadership in Parliament, alleged that Hon. Randy Abbey, CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), authorized the purchase of approximately 150 new vehicles for the ministry while cocoa farmers have reportedly not been paid from November 2025 to date.

During a TV3 Live coverage, Dr. Yaw Opoku strongly disputed claims that Ghana defaulted on syndicated cocoa loans. He stated: “We have heard from the chief executive of Cocobod, trying to assign several reasons why farmers cannot be paid. Among the reasons was that the previous administration defaulted in the payment of the syndicated loan contracted for the 2023-2024 cocoa season, and that the current administration could no longer access the facility. I was surprised that this was coming from the chief executive. It is absolutely untrue.

It is totally false. For your information, ladies and gentlemen, Ghana started the syndicated loan in 1993, and at the close of the 2023-2024 cocoa season, which was the last syndicated cocoa year, Ghana has never, never defaulted in the repayment of the loan. So, if the chief executive has any evidence that Cocobod has defaulted, he should provide that evidence. You can go to him. Let him provide the evidence what, how much was defaulted and how much remains outstanding. The Cocobod chief executive should provide that.

Another reason he assigned is the fall in international price of cocoa. Yes, the price, the prices have fallen, but this is not the first time prices have fallen. When the NPP assumed office in January 2017, world market price had dropped from $3,000 United States dollars per ton in June 2016 to $1,800 United States dollars per ton, barely enough to pay the cocoa farmer. Ladies and gentlemen, when a government is faced with this challenge, the solution is not about rhetoric. It is not about who makes the most noise in public, and it is certainly not about excuses. It is about visionary, level-headed leadership with experience and immersed in critical thinking and not politicizing the issue.”- Hon. Isaac Yaw Opoku

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Cocoa Loan Debate Intensifies as Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku Counters Default Claims

Fiifi Boafo, a former COCOBOD spokesperson/CEO figure (as referenced in discussion), also suggested that tensions or disagreements between the current COCOBOD leadership and the managing director of cocoa marketing may be contributing to administrative and operational challenges within the ministry.

These claims have circulated widely on radio and social media, intensifying public debate about accountability and priorities within Ghana’s cocoa sector.

Important note:

Several statements above are paraphrased summaries of allegations and commentary made during radio discussions and public discourse. They represent claims and opinions expressed in the media and have not been independently verified here. They should therefore be understood as part of an ongoing public debate rather than established findings.

Political Disagreements and Financial Pressure

The broader discussion includes differing views from public officials about the causes of the current situation:

Some argue that loans taken in previous years and repayment obligations are now straining the cocoa system.

Others say supply delays, currency pressures, and global market factors have worsened the situation.

There is also concern that if government finances are tight or borrowing is restricted, the producer price for cocoa could come under pressure.

 

Hon. Yaw Ado Frimpong (MP for Manso Adubia), speaking on Rock FM, noted that cocoa financing cycles are tied to seasonal loans taken between October and December, with strict repayment timelines. Any disruption in supply or funding can create serious payment delays for farmers.

Meanwhile, Hon. Eric Agbenyo Edem offered a different perspective, suggesting that earlier management decisions and supply issues contributed to the present challenges. These differences reflect the broader political debate surrounding Ghana’s cocoa finances.

Commentary: Farmers Should Not Pay the Price

As I report for Ghana News in Canada, the most striking issue is not the political disagreement, but the human cost.

Farmers in rural Ghana are not concerned about which party is to blame.

They are concerned about whether they will be paid.

If allegations about mismanagement, procurement decisions, or internal disputes prove accurate, they must be addressed transparently. If they are inaccurate, they must also be clarified quickly. Silence allows rumors to grow and trust to erode.

What matters most is this:

The cocoa sector cannot function if farmers lose confidence in it.

When farmers are unpaid:

Rural economies slow down

Youth abandon cocoa farming

Production drops

National revenue suffers

This is not a partisan issue; it is a national one.

Transparency and Accountability Needed

The current situation raises important questions:

How large is the cocoa sector debt?

What is the timeline for paying farmers?

How are loan funds being used?

Are procurement decisions aligned with sector priorities?

What reforms are planned to stabilize the system?

Clear and transparent communication from COCOBOD and government officials could help calm tensions and restore confidence.

 

Global Market Reality

Ghana cannot set cocoa prices arbitrarily. As one of the world’s largest producers, its decisions are tied to global demand and supply. If production drops, global prices may rise, but farmers will only benefit if the local payment system works efficiently.

Currency pressures, debt obligations, and seasonal financing cycles all complicate the situation. Yet none of these realities change one simple truth:

Farmers must be paid promptly for the system to survive.

 

Conclusion

The ongoing cocoa payment delays and allegations of financial mismanagement have created a tense atmosphere in Ghana’s agricultural sector. Whether the root cause lies in past decisions, present policies, global market pressures, or internal disputes, the urgency of the moment cannot be ignored.

Cocoa built Ghana’s rural economy and global reputation.

The farmers who sustain that legacy deserve transparency, fairness, and timely payment.

Until clear solutions are implemented, the voices of cocoa farmers will continue to echo, from village buying centers to radio studios, from Accra to the diaspora.

Source & Citation Note

This report is mostly based on paraphrased commentary and allegations discussed on Rock FM (including the Thursday, 5 February 2026 broadcast) and related public discourse involving Dr. Isaac Yaw Opoku, Hon. Yaw Ado Frimpong, Hon. Eric Agbenyo Edem, Fiifi Boafo, and others.

These statements are presented as part of ongoing public debate and do not constitute independently verified findings.

Reporting for Ghana News, Canada-By Boakye Stephen