The Young Cocoa Farmers of Ghana have raised serious concerns about the management of the 2025/2026 cocoa season, warning that current developments pose a major threat to youth participation in cocoa farming.
In a statement dated February 3, 2026, and signed by Convener Martin Adu, the association revealed that many young farmers have already harvested, fermented, and dried their cocoa beans but are unable to sell them due to the absence of buyers.
According to the group, the partial closure of the cocoa purchasing season in December 2025—described as unprecedented in Ghana’s cocoa history has left farmers with large quantities of unsold cocoa and no source of income.
“This situation is steadily eroding our hope and confidence in cocoa farming. It is deeply discouraging for farmers to invest time, labour, and resources only to be left without buyers for their produce. If this trend continues, many young people will completely lose interest in cocoa farming,” the statement noted.
The association further expressed alarm over reports suggesting that the government intends to reduce the cocoa producer price from GHS 3,625 to approximately GHS 2,800.
They cautioned that such a reduction could push young farmers out of the sector, lead to the abandonment of cocoa farms, and potentially drive affected youth into illegal mining activities, thereby threatening both agriculture and environmental sustainability.
The Young Cocoa Farmers of Ghana are therefore appealing to President John Mahama to direct the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to immediately reopen the cocoa purchasing season and maintain the current producer price to ensure the survival of youth involvement in the industry.
“We respectfully call on the government to act swiftly to protect cocoa farmers, sustain youth interest in agriculture, and secure the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry,” the statement concluded.
