Young Cocoa Farmers petition Mahama over funding, producer price and start date for new cocoa season

The Young Cocoa Farmers Association has formally requested President John Dramani Mahama to clarify crucial policies for the upcoming 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season. The group cites concerns over funding, producer prices, the start date of the new season, and proposed changes to the cocoa industry, as they are causing anxiety among farmers and impeding their ability to plan.

The difficulties faced during the 2025/2026 season left many farmers financially strained and uncertain about their future. The association notes that some farmers struggled to cover basic needs, pay school fees, obtain healthcare, and maintain their farms due to challenges in selling their produce and accessing income. One of the main issues from the previous season was the incapacity of some Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks to secure sufficient funds to buy cocoa beans from farmers, particularly during the minor season when farmers rely on buyers for advances and credit.

The association warns that this lack of financing has put a significant financial burden on farming households and could jeopardize the sustainability of cocoa production. They are seeking clarity on whether the producer price of cocoa will remain unchanged or be decreased in the 2026/2027 season, emphasizing the need for government to provide an official price ahead of the new season to ensure farmers can make informed decisions regarding farm investments, labor arrangements, input purchases, and production targets.

The group also requests government to clarify the policy governing farmers' entitlement to 70% of the value of cocoa. Additionally, the Young Cocoa Farmers Association demands direct engagement with farmers on the 2026 Cocoa Bill, requesting the government to explain the key provisions of the proposed legislation, its impact on farmers, and the benefits they will receive from the new framework.

The association urges President Mahama's government to ensure adequate funds are available throughout the 2026/2027 purchasing season and to implement measures to prevent a recurrence of the financing issues seen in the previous season. They also request the government to set the official start date for the new cocoa purchasing season.

The farmers highlight that cocoa is a vital source of income for hundreds of thousands of Ghanaian households and a substantial contributor to the country's export earnings. They urge the government to provide timely information and policy certainty to allow farmers to plan effectively. The association's Executive Secretary, Madam Adwoa Mensah, and Convenor, Martin Adu, signed the petition, expressing hope that the government will engage cocoa farmers and other stakeholders before the new purchasing season begins to restore confidence in the sector.