President John Dramani Mahama has scheduled an emergency Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, to address the deepening challenges facing Ghana’s cocoa industry, as concerns mount over delayed payments, funding gaps and the long-term stability of the sector.
The decision, announced by Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu in a post on X, follows weeks of anxiety within the cocoa value chain, driven largely by severe liquidity constraints that have slowed payments to farmers and industry operators.
Industry players say the situation has reached a critical point. Delays in payments to cocoa farmers and Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) have raised fears of disruptions in bean purchases and exports, with some stakeholders warning that prolonged inaction could trigger a wider crisis in one of Ghana’s most important economic sectors.
The Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana (LICOBAG) has cautioned that government must urgently mobilise funds to purchase about 300,000 tonnes of cocoa beans by September, stressing that failure to do so could place the entire industry at risk.
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has also admitted to a significant financing shortfall and confirmed ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Finance to identify alternative funding options. Among the proposals under consideration is a possible shift away from the traditional syndicated loan arrangement that has long supported cocoa purchases.
Meanwhile, cocoa farmers have voiced strong dissatisfaction with producer prices announced for the 2025/2026 season, arguing that the rates do not reflect current economic realities. Farmers warn that unattractive pricing could fuel smuggling and further erode incomes, compounding existing challenges in the sector.
The emergency Cabinet session is expected to bring together key ministers, technical experts and senior officials to agree on immediate measures aimed at restoring confidence. Discussions will focus on securing financing, ensuring prompt payments to farmers and buyers, and implementing reforms to stabilise the cocoa value chain in the short to medium term.
