The Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana has called on the government to urgently scale up cocoa processing in the country, citing recent challenges faced by cocoa farmers and the need to strengthen local and regional markets.
According to the Association, investing in local cocoa processing and market development requires national attention.
In a press statement dated February 5, 2026, the Association noted that cocoa farmers have, over the past three months, suffered unpaid obligations, a situation it said underscores the challenges facing the sector.
The group explained that reliance on raw cocoa exports exposes farmers and the broader economy to global trade uncertainties, and stressed that Ghana must be positioned to rely on domestic and African markets if international trade disruptions occur.
The Association is therefore urging the government, in collaboration with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), to establish a state-of-the-art cocoa powder processing factory to add value to Ghana’s cocoa beans.
It further outlined a proposal for nationwide consumption of locally processed cocoa products, envisioning cocoa drink dispensers installed in schools, public institutions, and diplomatic missions.
“Our vision is bold: every institution in Ghana should have a cocoa drink dispenser, serving school children as breakfast and lunch, and showcasing Ghanaian cocoa products in banks, prisons, police stations, hospitals, lorry stations, and embassies,” the statement said.
The farmers believe such an initiative would significantly boost cocoa production, increase farmers’ incomes, generate substantial tax revenue, and promote Ghanaian cocoa products both locally and internationally.
“When farmers prosper, businesses thrive, and tax payments become a breeze! Let’s make this happen!” the statement signed by Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu, President of the Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana, added.
