President John Dramani Mahama has scheduled an emergency cabinet meeting for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, to tackle the deepening crisis in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The meeting was announced by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
The decision follows growing concern over delayed payments to cocoa farmers and mounting financial pressure across the cocoa value chain.
Pressure has been building from the Minority in Parliament, who have repeatedly called on government and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to take swift steps to stabilise the sector. The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, Isaac Yaw Opoku, has criticised both government and COCOBOD for delays in reimbursing Licensed Buying Companies.
According to him, arrears owed to Licensed Buying Companies, which purchase cocoa beans on behalf of COCOBOD, have exceeded GH¢10 billion. He warns that the situation is limiting the companies’ ability to pay farmers and putting cocoa purchasing operations at risk.
The payment backlog has triggered frustration among farmers across the country, with many demanding immediate settlement of outstanding amounts. Some have also expressed disappointment with earlier assurances from COCOBOD, urging the board to move from promises to prompt action.
COCOBOD, however, says it has started releasing funds to Licensed Buying Companies to help clear arrears owed to farmers. The board also indicates it is pursuing new financing arrangements aimed at restoring long term stability in the sector.
Wednesday’s cabinet meeting is expected to focus on urgent policy and financial interventions to ease liquidity challenges and protect Ghana’s cocoa industry.