The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on government and key stakeholders to take immediate action to address the escalating crisis in Ghana’s cocoa industry.
In a statement released today, the Conference expressed deep concern over the plight of cocoa farmers, many of whom face mounting debts, disrupted schooling for their children, and increasing exposure to illegal mining activities due to delayed payments for cocoa already delivered.
“For months, many farmers have endured delays in payment, resulting in unpaid labour, disrupted schooling, mounting debt, and growing vulnerability to illegal mining,” the bishops said.
The statement noted that reductions in producer prices have further intensified the hardships, undermining confidence in the sector. The Conference emphasised that farmers should not bear the full burden of systemic challenges.
“Equity and justice demand that accumulated surpluses from years of windfall gains be used to cushion farmers in difficult years. To penalise them for circumstances beyond their control would be insensitive and morally indefensible,” the statement added.
The bishops also highlighted the risk of Ghana losing its competitive edge in the global cocoa market, citing rising competition from countries such as Ecuador, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Climate stress and land degradation caused by illegal mining were also flagged as threats to the industry’s long-term stability.
The Conference called for urgent measures, including the immediate payment of outstanding dues to farmers, transparent restructuring of the Ghana Cocoa Board, sustained producer pricing, and greater involvement of youth in cocoa production.
Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, President of the Conference, stressed, “The rescue of Ghana’s cocoa industry is not merely an economic task. It is a moral imperative. Justice for cocoa farmers is justice for Ghana.”
