The President of the Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana, Samuel Adimado, is urging stakeholders not to politicise ongoing challenges in the cocoa sector, insisting that the real opportunity lies in promised reforms that could secure better returns for farmers.
Speaking on Good Afternoon Ghana on Metro TV on Friday, February 13, 2026, Samuel Adimado said while concerns over delayed payments remain, the focus should be on long-term structural changes.
“My appeal is that we shouldn’t politicise the situation and miss the boat,” he said.
“We should go back to the data and then grasp the opportunity of the reform where the farmer will get no less than 70% of the FOB or the terminal price.”
According to him, historical data comparing Free On Board prices and producer prices shows cocoa farmers have not always received a fair share of export earnings.
“If you look at the data 21 years back, FOB price against producer price, you understand the data is obvious. It will tell you that the cocoa farmer has been unfairly treated,” he argued.
Mr Adimado said the association recently engaged the Minister of Finance and management of the Ghana Cocoa Board during a press conference where the transformation of the cocoa sector was announced.
“One remarkable and significant position that the Minister of Finance made was the transformation of the cocoa sector,” he said.
He explained that Licensed Buying Companies have been pre-financing the sector for the past seven years and believes that arrangement must be reviewed.
“We have indicated that we have been pre-financing the sector for the past seven years. And therefore, we need to look at that,” he noted.
Although he confirmed that assurances have been given regarding outstanding payments for cocoa delivered, he maintained that the association is seeking a more lasting solution.
“Yes, we’re looking for our money, we are going to get our money. But what we have chance on is the promise to reform the cocoa sector,” he stated.
He stressed that the survival of the cocoa industry depends on the welfare of farmers.
“If the farmer stops growing cocoa, we are off the hook. And therefore the farmer is also our principal concern,” he said.
Mr Adimado warned that failure to improve the farmer’s share of revenue could weaken the industry over time.
“When the farmer is better off, we will keep our cocoa industry. If the farmer is not better off, we’ll lose our cocoa industry,” he cautioned.
He added that even if payments are made immediately, Licensed Buying Companies will continue to purchase cocoa, as the season runs from October 1 to September 30.
“As we are speaking, we are still buying cocoa,” he said, reinforcing his call for reforms that address what he described as long-standing structural imbalances in the sector.
