Young Cocoa Farmers petition President Mahama over funding, price uncertainty ahead of 2026/27 season

Date: August 17, 2026

H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana,

The Young Cocoa Farmers Association has addressed the President concerning the pressing concerns surrounding the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season. The Association aims to bring attention to the challenges faced by cocoa farmers and the need for immediate clarification from the government.

Cocoa is a vital economic commodity in Ghana, providing livelihoods for millions of farming families. However, the 2025/2026 season brought significant hardships for cocoa farmers, leaving many discouraged and financially unstable. Young farmers struggled to meet production targets and expected incomes, impacting the ability of farming households to meet basic needs, including education, healthcare, and farm maintenance.

Licensed Buying Companies and purchasing clerks also faced financial difficulties, limiting their capacity to purchase cocoa beans during the minor season. Farmers traditionally rely on these supports to sustain their operations until the main harvest, but this season's financial constraints have left farmers struggling to make ends meet.

Uncertainty about the upcoming season has further exacerbated the anxiety among cocoa farmers across the nation. Farmers are unable to plan effectively for investments, labor arrangements, input purchases, and production targets due to a lack of clarity regarding the new season's details.

The Association respectfully requests that the President and his government provide urgent clarification on the following matters:

1. Availability of adequate funds to facilitate cocoa purchases throughout the 2026/2027 season.

2. Implementation of measures to prevent a recurrence of the financial challenges experienced during the previous season.

3. Stability or adjustment of the current producer price of cocoa.

4. Official commencement date for the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season.

5. Clarity on the policy governing farmers' right to receive 70 percent of the value of cocoa.

Cocoa farmers play a crucial role in Ghana's economy, and the Association urges the government to provide timely information and policy certainty to enable farmers to make informed decisions and plan for the future. The group appeals to President Mahama and his administration to engage with stakeholders urgently ahead of the new season, emphasizing that such engagement will restore farmer confidence and strengthen the sustainability of the cocoa sector.