Accra, Ghana – The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has commenced payment of a significant sum of GH¢237 million to cocoa farmers across the country. The disbursement, which covers the supply of 50,000 metric tonnes of cocoa beans, was announced on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Jerome Sam, the Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, confirmed the development in a social media post, stating that the payment is aimed at providing much-needed financial relief to farmers. “I’m happy to report COCOBOD has started payment for the 50,000 metric tonnes. An amount of GH¢237 million has been paid,” he shared.
This payout occurs amidst ongoing financial pressures within Ghana’s cocoa sector, which has recently seen calls from farmers, industry stakeholders, and the Minority in Parliament to address outstanding arrears.
The payment follows a recent government announcement on February 12, 2026, outlining comprehensive reforms designed to stabilize the industry and manage COCOBOD's rising debt. A key part of these reforms is the newly approved farm-gate price, set at GH¢41,392 per tonne, which translates to GH¢2,587 for a standard 64kg bag.
In a further effort to improve the board's financial position, COCOBOD has implemented salary reductions for its management and senior staff. Executive management will see a 20 percent cut, while senior staff salaries are reduced by 10 percent. These internal measures are projected to save the board approximately GH¢5 million each month, contributing to its debt reduction strategy.
