The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), in collaboration with government and financial sector players, is exploring a new funding model aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on exporting raw cocoa beans and boosting value addition within the industry.

Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Dr. Randy Abbey, who disclosed this at press briefing said that the proposed framework is expected to transform how the cocoa sector is financed.

He added that the framework will support local processing of cocoa beans and improve revenue generation across the value chain.

Dr. Abbey made the announcement, pledging that cocoa farmers who have not yet been paid for supplying cocoa beans will receive their funds next week.

According to him, the new financial model will help Ghana move away from the traditional system where cocoa beans are largely sold in their raw state to raise funds for the season.

“The strategy seeks to promote domestic processing, enhance industrial capacity, and allow the country to capture more value from its cocoa resources”, he assured.

Some industry analysts say the move could also ease pressure on syndicated loan arrangements that have historically been used to finance cocoa purchases, while opening opportunities for partnerships with local and international investors.

Dr. Abbey noted that discussions with government and finance stakeholders are ongoing, with details of the structure expected to be announced after broader consultations.

The initiative forms part of wider reforms within the cocoa sector aimed at improving sustainability, strengthen farmer incomes, and position Ghana as a leading hub for cocoa processing and chocolate manufacturing in the region.