Cocoa sector reforms must start with COCOBOD downsizing — Franklin Cudjoe

The Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has called for a major restructuring of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) following the recent reduction in cocoa prices.

His comments come after the Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, announced a cut in the producer price of cocoa from GH₵3,625 to GH₵2,587 per bag for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season.

The farmgate price has also dropped from GH₵58,000 to GH₵41,392 per tonne, representing a loss of GH₵16,608 to farmers.

The decision follows months of delayed payments, with many cocoa farmers saying they have not been paid for beans supplied since November 2025.

In a social media post on Friday, February 13, the policy advisor argued that the structure of COCOBOD is part of the problem.

He asserted that excessive administrative costs deprive farmers of their full earnings.

“If we had a leaner COCOBOD, farmers would have received at least 90% of what is due them. Downsize and restructure COCOBOD to receive just 8% of cocoa proceeds,” he urged.

The social commentator emphasised that reducing bureaucracy within COCOBOD would ensure more value flows directly to cocoa farmers and help stabilise the sector.