In a petition dated Monday, August 17, 2026, the Association said the challenges experienced during the 2025/2026 season had left many cocoa farmers financially distressed and uncertain about the future of the sector.
It said many young farmers failed to meet their production targets and expected incomes, leaving farming households struggling to meet basic needs, pay school fees, access healthcare and undertake essential farm maintenance.
The Association also expressed concern over difficulties faced by farmers in selling their cocoa during the minor season, attributing the situation partly to financial constraints affecting Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks.
According to the farmers, many buyers lacked sufficient funds to purchase cocoa beans, while others were unable to provide the advances and credit facilities traditionally used by farmers to sustain their operations until the main crop season.
The group said uncertainty over the upcoming season was also making it difficult for farmers to plan investments, arrange labour, purchase inputs and set production targets.
It therefore called on the government to clarify whether adequate funds would be made available to support cocoa purchases throughout the 2026/2027 season and whether measures had been introduced to prevent a recurrence of the financial difficulties experienced during the previous season.
The Association also wants the government to clarify whether the producer price of cocoa will remain stable or be reduced and announce the official commencement date of the new purchasing season.
Another key demand is clarification on the policy under which cocoa farmers are expected to receive 70 per cent of the value of cocoa.
“In view of the foregoing, we respectfully petition Your Excellency and your Government to provide urgent clarity on the following matters: Whether adequate funds will be made available to facilitate the purchase of cocoa beans throughout the 2026/2027 cocoa season.
“Whether measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence of the financial challenges that affected cocoa purchases during the previous season. Whether the producer price of cocoa will remain stable or will be subjected to any reduction. The official commencement date of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season,” part of the petition said.
The farmers further called for direct engagement with them on the proposed 2026 Cocoa Bill, including detailed explanations of its provisions, implications and expected benefits to cocoa producers.
The Association said timely information and policy certainty were critical to restoring confidence among farmers ahead of the new season.
“Farmers deserve prices that reflect the true cost of production and provide a reasonable return on our investment,” it said.
It appealed to President Mahama and his government to engage stakeholders and provide clear direction before the commencement of the 2026/2027 cocoa season.
According to the Association, such engagement would enable farmers to plan effectively and assure them that their contribution to Ghana’s economy and cocoa industry is recognised and valued.
Read the statement below from the Young Cocoa Farmers Association:
Date: 17th August, 2026
H.E. JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA
President of the Republic of Ghana
Jubilee House
Accra, Ghana
PETITION FOR CLARITY, ASSURANCE, AND URGENT INTERVENTION AHEAD OF THE 2026/2027 COCOA PURCHASING SEASON
Your Excellency,
We write on behalf of the Young Cocoa Farmers Association to respectfully bring to your attention the growing concerns, uncertainty, and hardships confronting cocoa farmers across Ghana as we approach the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season.
Cocoa remains one of Ghana’s most important economic commodities and a major source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of farming families. However, the experiences of cocoa farmers during the 2025/2026 season have left many discouraged, financially distressed, and uncertain about the future of the sector.
The season was characterized by significant challenges that negatively affected cocoa production, marketing, and the welfare of farmers. Many young cocoa farmers were unable to achieve their production targets and expected incomes. As a result, numerous farming households struggled to meet their basic needs, support their families, finance their children’s education, access healthcare, and undertake essential farm maintenance activities.
Your Excellency, the current situation within the cocoa sector remains deeply concerning. Many Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and purchasing clerks did not have adequate funds to purchase cocoa beans from farmers during the minor season. Consequently, it was difficult for farmers to sell their produce and access much needed income.
Traditionally, this period allows farmers to rely on support from buyers through advances and credit facilities to sustain farming operations until the main harvest season. Unfortunately, many buyers are themselves facing financial constraints and are unable to provide such support. This situation has placed severe financial pressure on farmers and threatens the sustainability of cocoa production.
The uncertainty surrounding the upcoming 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season has heightened anxiety among cocoa farmers nationwide. Farmers are unable to make informed decisions regarding farm investments, labour arrangements, input purchases, and production targets because key information concerning the new season remains unclear.
In view of the foregoing, we respectfully petition Your Excellency and your Government to provide urgent clarity on the following matters:
1. Whether adequate funds will be made available to facilitate the purchase of cocoa beans throughout the 2026/2027 cocoa season.
2. Whether measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence of the financial challenges that affected cocoa purchases during the previous season.
3. Whether the producer price of cocoa will remain stable or be subjected to any reduction.
4. The official commencement date of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season.
5. Clarity on the policy that cocoa farmers should receive 70% of the cocoa value (price)
6. Engage cocoa farmers on the 2026 Cocoa Bill and provide a detailed explanation of its key provisions, implications, and benefits for farmers.
Your Excellency, cocoa farmers are the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa industry and among the largest contributors to the country’s export earnings. We therefore deserve timely information, policy certainty, and the assurance that our sacrifices and contributions are recognized and valued.
We respectfully appeal to your Government to engage stakeholders and provide clear direction ahead of the commencement of the new season. Such a move will restore confidence within the sector and enable farmers to plan effectively for the future.
Farmers deserve prices that reflect the true cost of production and provide a reasonable return on our investment.
We trust that our concerns will receive your urgent attention and favourable consideration.
Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
For and on behalf of the Young Cocoa Farmers Association
Signed
Madam Adwoa Mensah
Executive Secretary
Young Cocoa Farmers Association
0500582111
Signed
Martin Adu
Convenor
Young Cocoa Farmers Association
0504147580
CC:
– Chief Executive Officer, Ghana COCOBOD
– Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament
– Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs
– Minister for Finance
– Minister for Food and Agriculture
– All Media Houses
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