The President of the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA), Mr. Stephenson Anane Boateng, has expressed his disappointment with the government and COCOBOD, citing what he perceives as the ongoing neglect of cocoa farmers’ welfare in the country.
Speaking in an Interview with the media, Mr. Anane Boateng highlighted that cocoa farmers have not received payment from the government for their produce since November 2025, a situation that is significantly impacting their economic well-being.
He noted that similar occurrences have taken place over the past two years, further exacerbating their economic challenges. Mr. Anane Boateng emphasized that cocoa farmers have been severely neglected due to the inability of Ghana COCOBOD to address their basic needs.
He stressed that COCOBOD was entrusted with the responsibility of establishing welfare, pension schemes, and insurance for cocoa farmers, yet these initiatives have not been realized in over 42 years. This, he argued, is indicative of the disregard for the occupational hazards faced by cocoa farmers. He criticized COCOBOD for its lack of empathy for Cocoa Farmers, stating that the organization’s primary obligation is to purchase produce and ensure timely payments, a responsibility they are currently failing to uphold.
Mr. Stephenson Anane Boateng urged all cocoa farmers to unite under one umbrella to advocate for their welfare and rightful entitlements. He emphasized that neither the government nor any political party genuinely prioritizes the interests of cocoa farmers, resulting in their continued neglect despite the change of government approximately every eight years.
He contended that the issues faced by cocoa farmers would rarely occur with public sector and service workers without government intervention. However, the government remains silent despite COCOBOD’s failure to pay them for over three months. He expressed concern over the transfer of COCOBOD from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Finance, a move he believes is exacerbating their difficulties.
He lamented the future success of agriculture, particularly cocoa farming, given the poor treatment of farmers. He remarked that students in agricultural colleges are primarily interested in becoming agricultural extension officers, rather than actively engaging in agricultural activities. He expressed concern that agriculture lacks a promising future due to the neglect of farmers in the country.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
