An 81-year-old cocoa farmer has appealed to the government and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to act urgently over months of unpaid cocoa proceeds, warning that the delays are pushing elderly farmers and their families into severe hardship.
“I’m 81 years old, and I’ve never seen this before. Cocoa farming is all I have to do, nothing else. I sell my cocoa, and after four months, I still haven’t been paid. What do you want an old woman like me to do?” she said at a recent People’s Forum in Abuakwa South.
Her emotional account reflects growing frustration among cocoa farmers in parts of the Eastern Region, who say they are yet to be paid for beans supplied as far back as November 2025. Many claim the delays have forced them into debt, disrupted their children’s education, and made it difficult to afford necessities.
Several farmers at the forum said they have had to rely on loans from friends, traders, and money lenders to survive while waiting for their money.
“We have families to take care of and school fees to pay, but there is no money,” one farmer said. “Some children have stopped going to school because their parents cannot pay.”
The issue dominated discussions at the forum, which brought together cocoa farmers, Licensed Buying Company (LBC) purchasing clerks, and community leaders. T
The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South was also present and pledged to raise the matter with the appropriate authorities.
Cocoa remains one of Ghana’s most important export commodities and a major source of livelihood for millions of rural households.
COCOBOD’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Randy Abbey, has apologised to farmers over the situation.
Addressing a media briefing at Cocoa House in Accra on Thursday, February 6, 2026, Dr Abbey acknowledged that farmers are facing real difficulties and said they deserve an apology.
He said much of the agitation relates to unpaid produce sold to LBCs on behalf of COCOBOD, as well as cocoa that remains available but has not been purchased.
Dr Abbey explained that COCOBOD is currently grappling with liquidity challenges following the collapse of its long-standing syndicated loan agreement, which had financed cocoa purchases for about 32 years. He also noted that Ghana’s cocoa has become relatively expensive compared to other producing countries, leading some international buyers to source from elsewhere.
According to him, COCOBOD, the Ministry of Finance, and the government are working together to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
However, farmers insist that beyond assurances, they need swift and concrete action.
For the elderly farmer who spoke at the forum, the wait has already been too long.
“We are tired,” she said. “We only want what belongs to us.”
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