About 27,000 motorised spraying machines and 89,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) are expected to be distributed by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to cocoa farmers.

This was announced by the Board Chairman of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, on Thursday, March 12. He explained that it is to assist Ghanaian cocoa farmers despite current sectoral challenges.

“COCOBOD has decided that, in spite of all the challenges, all the interventions we are putting in place to assist the cocoa farmers, we will continue to do them. We will supply free fertilizer and insecticide.

“As we speak with you, we have procured 27,000 spraying machines to be given to farmers. We have also been able to buy 89,000 PPEs to be given to farmers,” he stated.

Meanwhile, cocoa farmers who have been owed since November last year are set to receive the monies owed to them as the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) moves to clear the outstanding arrears.

Engaging the press on Thursday, March 13, the Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Jerome Sam, disclosed that the Board has disbursed approximately GH¢4.2 billion to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) for onward payment to cocoa farmers.

He added, “Some of the payments are recent, while others are older. Since 2023, when we experienced challenges with the syndicated loan, Licensed Buying Companies sometimes stepped in to pre-finance cocoa purchases. COCOBOD later reimburses them for those purchases.

“That is why some farmers are not owed by the LBCs, while others still have outstanding payments. As COCOBOD, we are working tirelessly to ensure that every cedi owed to the Licensed Buying Companies is paid so they can also settle any outstanding debts with their cocoa farmers”.

Last month, an amount of GHC237 million has been paid to cocoa farmers for 50,000 metric tonnes of cocoa by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, February 18, head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Jerome Kwaku Sam wrote, “I’m happy to report COCOBOD has started payment of the 50,000 metric tonnes. An amount of GHC237 million has been paid.”

Last week, the Ghana Cocoa Board’s commenced payments to Licensed Buying Companies to clear outstanding arrears owed Ghanaian cocoa farmers who sold and delivered their cocoa beans without receiving payment.

This followed several calls by cocoa farmers demanding payment for months of prolonged arrears from the government. On the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 5, the Minority caucus raised concerns about the sustainability of the cocoa sector if the demands of cocoa farmers are not addressed.

Although LBCs have paid over GH¢620 million to cocoa farmers, a significant amount remains. Speaking to the media, Head of Corporate Communications at COCOBOD, Jerome Kwaku Sam “In November, we paid over GH¢6 billion, in December more than GH¢5 billion, and in January another GH¢6 billion.

"This month alone, we have paid over GH¢620 million, and we are continuing to pay the LBCs so they can clear outstanding payments to farmers”.

The President of the Ghana National Association of Cocoa Farmers (GNACOF), Stevenson Anane Boateng, has lamented the government's hesitation to pay them for the cocoa sold out to them.

He said, the situation has rendered a number of cocoa farmers broke since November last year and are calling for intervention“The government is buying our cocoa but has refused to pay us. Since November, we have not been paid. They accept the cocoa, but they don’t pay us,” he lamented during an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM.

When asked what might have caused the delay, he responded: “We don’t know. We are not part of the government, so please, you need to ask them why they have refused to pay cocoa farmers. This is troubling, and we want the government to address our concerns.”

Meanwhile, the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA) has cautioned the government that failure to introduce a pension scheme, improve health insurance, and ensure access to quality healthcare will leave farmers with no option but to take action themselves.

GNACOFA has made a formal call for swift reforms aimed at improving the welfare and security of cocoa farmers across the country, noting that they currently do not have sufficient social protection.

The Association urged the government to establish a pension scheme for cocoa farmers, broaden and enhance their health insurance benefits, and guarantee access to quality healthcare services.

Anane Boateng called on the government to respond without delay, warning that inaction would force farmers to mobilise for a nationwide protest to push their demands.

Meanwhile, in August 2025 Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Forson announced at a press conference after a meeting with the Producer Price Review Committee that Cocoa farmers in the country will soon receive free fertiliser and other inputs from the government starting from the 2025/2026 crop season.

According to Mr Forson, the government's decision to reintroduce free fertilisers is aimed at supporting farmers to increase production.

“In preparation for the new season, COCOBOD has made available jute sacks and related logistics for the smooth take-off of the 2025/2026 crop Season. Ladies and Gentlemen, and to the cocoa farmer, I am pleased to announce that President John Mahama’s administration has reintroduced the free cocoa fertiliser programme as an additional support to the Ghanaian cocoa farmer, beginning the 2025/2026 crop year.”

Dr. Forson added that every single farmer will benefit from this initiative.

“Beginning this crop year, President Mahama’s administration will supply free cocoa fertilisers (both liquid and granular), free insecticides, free spraying machines, free fungicides, and free flower inducers to farmers.”

Farmers were therefore cautioned against smuggling. “Government strongly advises cocoa farmers to apply these inputs solely for the purpose of improving cocoa yield and their income. Please do not smuggle them,” he said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, Her Excellency Imane Ouaadil, on July 28, handed over two thousand (2,000) tons of fertilizer, equivalent to 40,000 bags of fertilizer, to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the fertilizer was donated to the West African country by the Kingdom of Morocco during Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa's official visit to Morocco last month, as part of the two countries’ commitment to sustainable agriculture to enhance food security.

Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Setor Dumelo, received the donated fertilizers on behalf of the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku. He expressed gratitude to the Moroccan government for the donation. He assured that farmers will receive the fertilizers to aid crop production.

“Yesterday, 40,000 bags of fertilizer was donated to Ghana by the Kingdom of Morocco through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On behalf of my boss Hon Eric Opoku, I want to say a big thank you to Hon Ablakwa and Her Excellency Ouaadil for this kind gesture. We at the Ministry of Agriculture will ensure the fertilizers get straight to the deserving farmers as soon as possible,” he wrote in a post on the X platform on July 29.

Agricultural stakeholders have long raised concerns over Ghana not having a single chemical fertiliser plant.

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, this gap is affecting crop yields and weakening the sector’s overall contribution to the economy, with agriculture’s share of GDP falling from 26.9% in 2010 to 22.7% in 2023.