Friday, 6 November 2026

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Friday, 6 November 2026

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Ghanaian press · Organization

Ghana Cocoa Board

Also known as: Anti-Smuggling Unit of the Ghana Cocoa Board · Coco Board

Ghana Cocoa Board — state organization managing cocoa sector operations, financing, and farmer pricing; recently launched domestic funding program raising GH¢16.3 billion.

2026-04-262026-11-06

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Ghana Cocoa Board

Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

July 2026
1 JulJoy Online
… The drivers were arrested on the spot, and the contraband cargo was shipped directly to Accra for the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). …
Ahafo cocoa farmers demand urgent action as smuggling threatens livelihoods and national economy
June 2026
26 JunBusiness & Financial Times
… According to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), cocoa production for the 2024/2025 season stood at about 600,000 metric tonnes, significantly below the record 1,047,000 metric tonnes harvested during the 2020/2021 crop season. …
When gold threatens green gold: Illegal mining’s toll on cocoa and cashew farming in Sunyani
24 JunJoy Online
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, says the indebtedness of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to suppliers of fertilizers and agrochemicals between 2021 and 2024 forms part of a wider financial challenge inherited within the cocoa sector. …
COCOBOD indebtedness to suppliers part of broader cocoa sector financial challenges – Ampem Nyarko
23 JunBusiness & Financial Times
… Instead, they are forced to sell exclusively to the Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) at below-market prices set entirely by the State. …
Why it’s time to change cocoa law
18 JunJoy Online
The Government of Ghana, through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has announced that the producer price of cocoa will remain unchanged for the 2026 light crop season despite a decline in global cocoa prices. …
Ghana’s cocoa price decision and the future of a resilient cocoa economy
18 JunJoy Online
The Government of Ghana, through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has announced that the producer price of cocoa will remain unchanged for the 2026 light crop season despite a decline in global cocoa prices.The Government’s decision to maintain the producer price of cocoa for the …
Ghana’s cocoa price decision and the future of resilient cocoa economy
16 JunJoy Online
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, has called for deeper trust, transparency, and commitment between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire as the two countries seek to strengthen cooperation and secure greater value for cocoa from the two countries on the …
COCOBOD CEO calls for greater trust, unity in Ghana–Côte d’Ivoire cocoa partnership
15 JunBusiness & Financial Times
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, has called for deeper trust, transparency, and commitment between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire as the two countries seek to strengthen cooperation and secure greater value for cocoa from the two countries on the …
COCOBOD chief executive calls for greater trust and unity in Ghana–Côte D’ivoire cocoa partnershp
15 JunJoy Online
… The meeting brought together senior government officials, industry stakeholders, and representatives from both countries, including the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. …
Finance Minister opens 7th Steering Committee Meeting of Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative in Abidjan
15 JunJoy Online
… The meeting brought together senior government officials, industry stakeholders and representatives from both countries, including the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. …
Finance Minister opens 7th Steering Committee Meeting of Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative in Abidjan

Agriculture & Land

Environmentalist warns mining threatens Ghana's cocoa farms

The News

Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, an environmentalist and farmer, has warned that Ghana risks losing significant portions of its cocoa farms and agricultural lands to mining activities unless urgent measures are introduced to protect farmers and their livelihoods. He has called on the government to establish a dedicated compensation fund for affected farmers and to compel mining companies to reclaim degraded lands.

19 hours ago · The Chronicle →

Yesterday

Environmentalist warns mining threatens Ghana's cocoa farms
Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, an environmentalist and farmer, has warned that Ghana risks losing significant portions of its cocoa farms and agricultural lands to mining activities unless urgent measures are introduced to protect farmers and their livelihoods. He has called on the government to establish a dedicated compensation fund for affected farmers and to compel mining companies to reclaim degraded lands.
19 hours ago · The Chronicle →

Saturday 31 October

COCOBOD CEO presents Ghana's cocoa financing model at New York forum
Dr Ransford Anertey Abbey outlined Ghana's new cocoa financing model and sector reforms at the Africa Cocoa Finance & Investment Forum in New York, inviting investors to explore opportunities in processing, sustainability, and value addition. The government is rolling out a new financing framework anchored by Cocoa Capital PLC, raising GH¢16.3 billion through a domestic securities programme to finance cocoa purchases and address legacy debt.
31 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 27 October

Ghana's cocoa farms need protection from galamsey mining
Ghana's government must enforce the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 to protect cocoa farms from illegal mining (galamsey), which destroys agricultural assets and rural livelihoods. The law includes a reported 500-metre restriction around protected farms to prevent mining activities.
27 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 15 October

Cocoa farmers in Bono East report declining yields amid weather stress
Cocoa farmers in Bono East are experiencing falling production due to prolonged sunshine and erratic rainfall. Farmers have reported significant drops in yields — one farmer's output fell from 28 bags per season to 17 bags, while another's fell from 68 to 48 bags — and are calling for government intervention including the reintroduction of irrigation schemes.
15 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana International Bank seeks Asian capital for African growth
Ghana International Bank is targeting Asian investors as a source of financing for African infrastructure and growth, with its CEO noting that Asia's deep institutional savings are complementary to Africa's needs and that China is an "extremely important" market. The London-based bank also plans to scale up financing for crops beyond cocoa across Africa.
15 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 14 October

COCOBOD raises GH¢3.4bn via debut commercial paper listing
The Ghana Cocoa Board raised GH¢3.396 billion from domestic institutional investors through its inaugural commercial paper issuance under a GH¢16.3 billion Domestic Cocoa Notes Programme, marking a step toward diversifying financing sources and reducing reliance on external borrowing. The commercial paper has been listed on the Ghana Fixed Income Market of the Ghana Stock Exchange.
14 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 12 October

Ashanti cocoa farmers welcome new COCOBOD Act despite price concerns
Cocoa farmers and traditional leaders in the Ashanti Region have expressed satisfaction with the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, while acknowledging the rationale behind the announced producer price for the new cocoa season, despite initially hoping for a higher price. The views emerged during stakeholder engagements organized by COCOBOD across seven cocoa-growing districts in the region.
12 October 2026 · Joy Online →
COCOBOD adopts soilless media for sustainable cocoa seedling production
Ghana's Cocoa Board has partnered with CHRYS FIBRE and GKC STRUCTURES LTD to shift cocoa seedling production from topsoil and polythene bags to soilless growing media and alternative receptacles, reducing soil degradation and plastic waste. The Seed Production Division has conducted capacity-building training for staff on these environmentally sustainable nursery technologies.
12 October 2026 · Daily Guide →

Wednesday 7 October

FAO urges stronger systems for African climate finance access
The FAO called for stronger policy, institutional and technical systems across Africa to help countries access climate finance under the REDD+ programme. The call was made at a South-South Workshop held in Ghana, attended by representatives from Benin, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone to share experiences and strengthen readiness for results-based climate finance.
7 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 5 October

COCOBOD raises GH¢3.39bn in first commercial paper tranche
The Ghana Cocoa Board raised GH¢3.39 billion through its special-purpose vehicle Cocoa Capital PLC in the first tranche of a Commercial Paper programme, falling short of the GH¢4 billion target. Investors will receive 11% interest over 266 days, with the funds supporting cocoa purchases for the 2026/27 crop season as part of a broader GH¢16.3 billion financing programme.
5 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 1 October

COCOBOD launches GH¢16.3bn domestic financing programme for cocoa
Ghana's Cocoa Board has established Cocoa Capital PLC, a special-purpose vehicle seeking to raise GH¢16.3 billion through domestic debt markets, comprising GH¢14 billion in commercial paper for cocoa purchases in the 2026/27 crop season and GH¢2.3 billion in medium- to long-term bonds to refinance existing legacy debt.
1 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 29 September

COCOBOD shifts to domestic funding for cocoa purchases strategically
The Ghana Cocoa Board has decided to raise $1.4 billion from domestic investors to finance cocoa purchases for the 2026/2027 season, describing this as a deliberate strategic shift away from its traditional reliance on international borrowing, not a result of exclusion from international markets. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer said international banks have approached COCOBOD about returning to the international market, but the board opted for a different approach based on lessons from previous financing arrangements.
29 September 2026 · Joy Online →
COCOBOD shifts to domestic funding for cocoa purchases strategically
COCOBOD has raised $1.4 billion from domestic investors to finance cocoa purchases for the 2026/2027 season, representing a deliberate strategic shift from international borrowing rather than exclusion from global markets. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer said international banks have approached the board about returning to international markets, but COCOBOD opted for a different approach based on lessons from previous financing arrangements.
29 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 28 September

Ghana Tourism Authority seeks ultra-modern cocoa museum in Western North
The Ghana Tourism Authority's Western North Regional Director has called on the Ghana Cocoa Board and stakeholders to establish an ultra-modern Cocoa Museum in the region to preserve cocoa heritage, document the history and evolution of cocoa production, and serve as an educational and tourism hub for students, researchers, and visitors.
28 September 2026 · Joy Online →
COCOBOD launches Cocoa Capital PLC to raise GH¢16.3 billion
The Ghana Cocoa Board has established Cocoa Capital PLC, a special-purpose financing vehicle wholly owned by COCOBOD, to raise GH¢16.3 billion for the cocoa sector through domestic capital markets. The programme will include GH¢14 billion in commercial papers and GH¢2.3 billion in bonds, rolled out in three tranches beginning with GH¢4 billion.
28 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 26 September

Opposition MP attacks government's new cocoa producer price
Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has criticised the Ghana Cocoa Board's new producer price of GH¢2,650 per 64-kilogramme bag for the 2026/2027 season as a disappointment to farmers, describing it as an example of government "deception" and extending his concerns to farmers of rice, maize, and yam.
26 September 2026 · Joy Online →
MP criticises new GH¢2,650 cocoa farm-gate price
Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has criticised the Ghana Cocoa Board's new producer price of GH¢2,650 per 64-kilogramme bag for the 2026/2027 season as a disappointment to farmers, and extended his concerns to say farmers producing rice, maize, yam, and cocoa are under attack under the current administration.
26 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 25 September

COCOBOD sets 2026/2027 cocoa producer price at GH¢42,400
Ghana's Cocoa Board has announced a producer price of GH¢42,400 per tonne (GH¢2,650 per 64-kilogramme bag) for the 2026/2027 crop season, effective September 25, 2026. Under the new pricing arrangement, cocoa farmers will receive 71.18 per cent of the realised gross Free on Board value.
25 September 2026 · The Chronicle →
COCOBOD raises cocoa producer price to GH¢42,400 per tonne
The Ghana Cocoa Board has increased the producer price of cocoa for the 2026/2027 season from GH¢41,392 to GH¢42,400 per tonne, a 2.4 percent increase, with a realised FOB price of US$2,650 per tonne. The new price represents 71.18 percent of the FOB value and follows reforms under the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, which includes an automatic adjustment mechanism and guarantees farmers at least 70 percent of the gross FOB price.
25 September 2026 · Joy Online →
COCOBOD seeks funding, prepares new cocoa producer price
Ghana is preparing for the 2026/2027 cocoa season with a new producer price expected to be announced as the Ghana Cocoa Board seeks financing to purchase cocoa from farmers. COCOBOD has held discussions with major international cocoa trading companies on financing arrangements, liquidity support for Licensed Buying Companies, and compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation.
25 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 24 September

Cocobod seeks GH¢16.3 billion domestic financing for cocoa purchases
Ghana's Cocoa Board is seeking to raise GH¢16.3 billion ($1.4 billion) from domestic investors to fund cocoa purchases for the upcoming season, after its decade-old international syndicated loan arrangement and alternative pre-financing arrangements collapsed. A special purpose vehicle, Cocoa Capital PLC, is expected to issue a first tranche this week comprising a GH¢2.3 billion bond and GH¢4 billion in commercial paper.
24 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 18 September

Cocobod's GH¢4bn debt threatens 2026/27 cocoa season purchases
The Chamber of Cocoa Marketers Ghana warns that the Ghana Cocoa Board's outstanding GH¢4 billion debt to Licensed Buying Companies could undermine the industry's ability to purchase cocoa when the 2026/27 season opens, as LBCs struggle with financial pressure and face difficulty securing fresh funding.
18 September 2026 · Daily Guide →

Thursday 17 September

Afarinick and Meiji partner on sustainable cocoa farming model
Ghanaian farm company Afarinick and Japan's Meiji Co. Ltd. have signed a Letter of Intent to develop a sustainable agroforestry cocoa model in Ghana that combines cocoa production with agroforestry and reuses farm waste to improve resource efficiency.
17 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 11 September

NPP chair alleges NDC MPs neglected cocoa farmers' pledges
The Sefwi Wiawso Constituency Chairman of the NPP has accused the NDC's eight regional MPs of failing to pressure President Mahama to honour campaign promises to cocoa farmers, including polytanks for irrigation and a cocoa price of over GH¢6,000 per bag; the current price is GH¢2,500.
11 September 2026 · Daily Guide →
Dafeamekpor accuses IMF of political bias against NDC
The Majority Chief Whip has accused the IMF of showing political bias against the NDC government following the Fund's assessment of governance in Ghana's state-owned enterprises, arguing that the IMF criticises NDC administrations over practices also prevalent under NPP rule. The IMF report identified the politicisation of board and chief executive appointments as a major weakness, noting that appointments remain highly political and centralised in the Presidency despite Ghana's framework intended to make them merit-based.
11 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Mahama directs SOEs to recruit and promote on merit
President John Dramani Mahama has directed state-owned enterprises and public institutions to recruit and promote staff strictly on merit, warning that political connections, personal relationships and proximity to power must not substitute for competence, integrity and performance. He also warned boards and managements against conflicts of interest, abuse of office and wasteful expenditure, directing that procurement be lawful and competitive.
11 September 2026 · The Chronicle →
IMF flags 87% of COCOBOD cocoa roads contracts directly awarded
An IMF Technical Assistance Report found that 87 percent of contracts under COCOBOD's cocoa roads investment portfolio were directly awarded without competitive tendering, reflecting broader weaknesses in procurement, project costing, and contract management within the state-owned enterprise.
11 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 10 September

Ten SOEs recorded GH¢8.8 billion net loss in 2024
Ten state-owned enterprises collectively recorded a net loss of GH¢8.8 billion in 2024, about 1.0% of GDP, with the Electricity Company of Ghana accounting for 85% of those losses. The IMF attributed the losses mainly to high financing costs, which reached GH¢9.4 billion—nearly six times the earnings before interest and tax.
10 September 2026 · Joy Online →
IMF flags political appointments as governance weakness in Ghana SOEs
The International Monetary Fund has identified the politicisation of board and chief executive appointments as a major weakness in Ghana's state-owned enterprises, warning that the practice undermines the independence and professionalism of boards despite established frameworks intended to make appointments merit-based. The IMF cited examples including the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, where the board was chaired by the national chairman of the governing party, and the Volta River Authority, which has prominent politicians on its board alongside technocrats, noting these arrangements depart from OECD standards that emphasise independent and professional majorities.
10 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Mahama urges SOE boards to prove measurable public value creation
President Mahama told Ghana's state-owned enterprises that they must convert financial gains into lasting operational efficiency and demonstrate credible evidence of value created for citizens, stressing that public ownership must produce public value and that persistent losses can no longer be quietly transferred to the national budget.
10 September 2026 · Joy Online →