President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns about Ghana’s inability to secure sustainable financing for the cocoa sector, warning that the situation has significantly affected the Ghana Cocoa Board’s (COCOBOD) traditional capacity to raise syndicated loans.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 11, the President acknowledged broader challenges in the management of state-owned enterprises. He noted that weak governance structures, political interference, and lapses in financial discipline have eroded the stability and credibility of institutions that once served as pillars of the economy.
“Our handling of state-owned enterprises has at times been uneven. Weak governance frameworks, political interference, and inadequate financial discipline have undermined institutions that were once engines of stability and credibility,” he stated.
He further admitted that the failure to secure sustainable cocoa financing had diminished COCOBOD’s effectiveness in syndicating funds, describing the situation not as a matter of blame but as a lesson in accountability and responsibility.
Meanwhile, cocoa farmers nationwide have threatened to stage protests over delayed payments for cocoa beans supplied since November 2025. The farmers say the prolonged delays have caused severe financial strain, making it difficult to cover essential expenses such as healthcare and school fees.
In response to the growing tension, Cabinet is convening an emergency meeting to address the payment backlog and the broader financial challenges facing the cocoa sector, as government seeks solutions to stabilize the industry and protect farmers’ livelihoods.
