BIRDD Urges Government to Act Amid Growing Cocoa Sector Crisis
The Busia Institute for Rural and Democratic Development (BIRDD) has called on the government to urgently address what it describes as an escalating crisis in Ghana’s cocoa industry.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Anane Agyei, the Institute highlighted concerns over reports that many cocoa farmers who supplied last season’s harvest have not received payment, while others are struggling to sell their current produce.
“Our engagements with farmers reveal that numerous suppliers are yet to be remunerated for last season’s cocoa, and some face difficulties marketing their current harvest,” Dr. Agyei said.
BIRDD also criticised the government for not implementing its earlier promise to raise the official producer price of cocoa to over GH¢6,000 per bag — a pledge made when the current administration was in opposition. The Institute warned that such delays and unfulfilled commitments threaten the livelihoods of farmers and the wider economic stability of the country. Cocoa remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of rural households and generating significant export revenue.
Delayed payments, according to BIRDD, are placing enormous financial pressure on families who rely on cocoa income to pay school fees, cover healthcare costs, and meet daily needs. “When farmers deliver produce in good faith but do not receive expected remuneration, trust in institutions erodes,” Dr. Agyei noted.
The Institute further cautioned that repeated delays and uncertainty over pricing could discourage investment in cocoa production, lower productivity, and undermine long-term sector sustainability. “Farmers who face persistent payment issues have less incentive to maintain or expand production, which threatens national cocoa output, weakens Ghana’s global market position, and jeopardises household incomes,” the statement said.
Beyond economics, BIRDD stressed the broader social and democratic consequences. “Confidence in democratic institutions diminishes when commitments are not honoured,” Dr. Agyei added.
The Institute is therefore urging immediate and coordinated action, including payment of all outstanding balances, clear communication of purchasing arrangements, honouring promised price increases, support for farm rehabilitation, access to finance, climate-resilient initiatives, and inclusive stakeholder engagement in policy design and monitoring.
“Fair and timely payment remains the most effective form of economic empowerment,” Dr. Agyei concluded. “Farmers need obligations met, not discretionary favours.”
BIRDD reaffirmed its commitment to providing research and policy guidance to help ensure sustainable growth in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
