COCOA SECTOR REFORMS PROVIDE SAFEGUARDS FOR GLOBAL INVESTORS - COCOBOD CE

Date: 30th October 2026

The Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Ransford Anertey Abbey, has invited global investors, financial institutions, processors, and development partners to participate in Ghana's cocoa sector transformation, highlighting the sector's new financing model, robust legal regime,  and expanded opportunities for domestic value addition and cocoa production. 

Speaking at the Africa Cocoa Finance & Investment Forum (ACFIF) in New York, Dr. Abbey described the 2026/27 cocoa season as a turning point for Ghana's cocoa industry, marking the transition from reliance on offshore syndicated loans to a domestically driven financing framework.

"I have not come to describe a plan. I have come to report on reforms that are already in force, and to invite you to take advantage of the opportunities that have been created," he stated.

Dr. Abbey highlighted the promulgation of the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182), as a major milestone in the ongoing reforms of the cocoa sector. He explained that the Act provides the framework for a new financing model and the establishment of Cocoa Capital PLC, a COCOBOD subsidiary mandated to mobilise funds through the issuance of securities on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

In view of this, Dr. Abbey announced that COCOBOD has launched a GH¢16.3 billion securities programme, comprising short-term notes to support cocoa purchases and longer-term bonds to restructure existing debt.

He added that, the first issuance raised GH¢3.39 billion, providing working capital to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to purchase cocoa directly from farmers and facilitate efficient evacuation of cocoa beans to the ports.

According to Dr. Abbey, the new structure offers greater flexibility in cocoa marketing, strengthens financial discipline, and increases opportunities for domestic participation in sector financing.

Dr. Abbey further noted that the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026 (Act 1182), guarantees cocoa farmers a minimum of 70 per cent of the realised Gross Free-On-Board (FOB) price. He stated that, for the 2026/2027 crop season, the producer price had been set at GH¢42,400 per tonne, representing 71.18 per cent of the realised FOB price.

The legislation also introduces mechanisms for in-season producer price adjustments, strengthens accountability in borrowing and expenditure, and establishes a framework for managing historical sector debt while supporting long-term sector sustainability.