Gov’t Reaffirms Push to Revamp Cocoa Sector — COCOBOD Regional Director

Mr. Samuel Addo Agyakwa, the newly appointed Central Regional Director of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), says the Government remains firmly committed to rolling out policies and interventions aimed at revitalising Ghana’s cocoa industry and securing better returns for farmers.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Swedruman Council of Chiefs, he said recent government actions — including the release of funds to settle payments for beans purchased from farmers — demonstrate a clear resolve to stabilise the sector. He urged farmers to insist on prompt payment from purchasing clerks (PCs) and Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs).

Mr. Agyakwa clarified that the recent reduction in producer prices was driven by a slump in international cocoa prices, stressing that the adjustment was not intended to shortchange farmers. He expressed concern that some PCs and LBC officials were exploiting the situation to manipulate prices and encouraged farmers to report such practices to the Agona Swedru COCOBOD office.

On farm rehabilitation, he said Government had instituted measures to help farmers rejuvenate ageing and diseased cocoa farms to boost productivity across the region. Cocoa, he noted, remains the backbone of Ghana’s economy, contributing significantly to infrastructure development, healthcare, and educational scholarship programmes.

Touching on agrochemical supply, Mr. Agyakwa assured farmers that inputs would be made available, though occasional delays may occur due to importation processes. He advised farmers to purchase inputs from local markets when necessary to avoid disruptions in spraying and fertiliser application.

He also pledged investigations into delays in payments to mass spraying gangs, explaining that such setbacks often stem from late submission of documentation by gang leaders. COCOBOD, he said, would intensify engagements with chiefs, farmer groups, and traditional authorities to deepen understanding of government policies.

Nana Kweku Esieni V, Acting President of the Swedruman Council of Chiefs, appealed to Government to strengthen the mass spraying programme, recalling its effectiveness during former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration, when national output rose to nearly one million tonnes. He also urged COCOBOD to scale up rehabilitation of diseased farms and review the producer price to restore confidence among farmers and labourers.