Cocoa Farmers Threaten Nationwide Protest Over Pension and Health Insurance Demands

choicenewsonlineJanuary 14, 2026

Cocoa farmers across the country have threatened to embark on a nationwide protest if the government fails to address longstanding welfare concerns affecting the sector.

The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA) says cocoa farmers continue to operate without adequate social protection, despite their critical role in sustaining Ghana’s cocoa industry and contributing significantly to national revenue.

National President GNACOFA Mr. Stephenson Anane Boateng

According to the Association, the absence of a dedicated pension scheme has left many cocoa farmers exposed to hardship, particularly in old age. GNACOFA argues that farmers who spend decades cultivating cocoa should not be left without financial security after their active years of service.

In addition to pension concerns, the Association is demanding improved and expanded health insurance coverage for cocoa farmers. GNACOFA notes that many farmers struggle to access quality healthcare due to limited coverage and high medical costs, placing their health and livelihoods at serious risk. The group is therefore calling for a strengthened health insurance system and improved healthcare services specifically tailored to cocoa farmers.

GNACOFA also raised serious concerns about delays in payments to cocoa farmers after the sale of their cocoa beans to licensed buying companies. The Association said such delays create financial strain for farmers, disrupt household livelihoods, and negatively affect productivity within cocoa-growing communities.

The Association has appealed to the government to urgently engage with cocoa farmers and implement comprehensive reforms aimed at improving their welfare and safety. GNACOFA warned that failure to act on these demands would compel cocoa farmers to organise a massive nationwide demonstration to press home their concerns.

GNACOFA maintains that addressing these welfare challenges is essential not only for the well-being of cocoa farmers but also for the long-term sustainability and growth of Ghana’s cocoa sector.