BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
The Young Cocoa Farmers Association has called on Parliament to urgently compel the government to announce a definite date for the commencement of the 2026/2027 cocoa purchasing season, warning that continued uncertainty could worsen the difficulties confronting farmers.
In a press statement dated September 21, 2026, the Association appealed to both the Majority and Minority leadership in Parliament to put pressure on the government within one week to provide clarity on when cocoa purchases for the new season will officially begin.
The farmers are also demanding firm assurances that adequate funds will be made available throughout the entire purchasing season to enable licensed buyers to purchase cocoa beans from farmers without interruptions.
According to the Association, the availability of funds is particularly important because farmers need certainty that once their produce is sold, payment will be made promptly.
The group further called for the government to announce the 2026/2027 producer price for cocoa without further delay, arguing that farmers need to know the price at which their produce will be purchased before the new season gets underway.
The Association said cocoa farmers should have a guaranteed market for their produce and should not be left uncertain about when they can sell their beans or whether buyers will have the financial capacity to pay.
“We, the farmers, cannot be left wondering when we will sell our produce or whether buyers will have the money to pay,” the group stated, warning against a repeat of what it described as a season of uncertainty, delayed purchases and non-payment.
The concerns come at a critical period for Ghana’s cocoa industry, where farmers depend heavily on the annual purchasing season to convert their harvested beans into income to support their families and meet production costs.
The Young Cocoa Farmers Association therefore urged Parliament to treat the matter as urgent and use its oversight responsibilities to demand clear commitments from the government.
The group warned that delays in announcing the purchasing arrangements could create uncertainty for farmers who have already prepared their produce for sale.
“Farmers have made the produce ready. Buyers must be ready to buy. The money must be ready for payment,” the statement stressed.
The Association also appealed to all stakeholders concerned about the future of Ghana’s cocoa sector to speak out and support measures aimed at preventing further difficulties within the industry.
It said Parliament’s intervention was necessary to ensure that the government provides clarity on three key issues: *the commencement date for the 2026/2027 purchasing season, availability of funds for cocoa purchases and the producer price to be paid to farmers.
