The Minority in Parliament has alleged that cocoa farmers across the country are yet to receive the GH₵855 million the government announced had been released to support cocoa purchases, raising concerns about transparency and delays within the cocoa sector.
According to the Minority, although the government publicly stated that the funds had been made available to facilitate the purchase of cocoa beans and ensure prompt payment to farmers, many farmers and purchasing clerks claim they have not received the money.
Speaking on the matter, members of the Minority caucus said the delay is causing anxiety among farmers who depend heavily on timely payments to sustain their livelihoods and prepare for the next farming season.
They argued that cocoa farmers play a critical role in Ghana’s economy and should not be subjected to unnecessary financial hardship due to administrative bottlenecks or mismanagement.
The caucus therefore called on the government and the Ghana Cocoa Board to provide a clear explanation regarding the whereabouts of the funds and the reasons farmers have not yet received the payments.
According to them, transparency in the management of cocoa funds is essential to maintain trust within the sector, especially at a time when farmers are already dealing with challenges such as rising production costs, illegal mining activities affecting cocoa lands, and fluctuating global prices.
The Minority further urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure the funds reach the intended beneficiaries without further delay.
They warned that prolonged delays could undermine farmer confidence and negatively impact cocoa production, which remains one of Ghana’s most important export commodities and a major source of foreign exchange for the country.
The caucus also called for stronger oversight and accountability in the handling of cocoa sector finances to prevent similar concerns in the future.
