Professor of Agricultural Economics, Prof Robert Aidoo, has suggested a more sustainable approach to financing cocoa purchases in Ghana, amid ongoing concerns about delayed payments to farmers and fluctuations in international cocoa prices.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Wednesday, Prof Aidoo said that if the current model is not effectively supporting the sector, the government should explore internal funding options while also engaging private sector participation.

Prof Aidoo proposed a blended financing model that combines internally generated funds, syndicated loans, and private sector contributions to ensure cocoa farmers are paid promptly.

“If the new model is not helping us, we should look for money internally, pay our farmers off, and then the government should receive,” he said.

He added that bringing in private sector resources, particularly from Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), could provide additional capital for cocoa purchases.

According to Prof Aidoo, the success of such a blended approach depends on the government fulfilling its payment obligations to LBCs for cocoa they have already supplied.

“If the government can commit to paying them, then I’m sure they’ll be able to also draw some funding from their partners. So together, the government brings in some syndicated loans; they also bring some money from their partners, and it will be successful,” he said.

The professor also highlighted the challenge posed by declining cocoa prices on the international market, noting that timely and reliable financing is critical to prevent further hardship for farmers and sustain production.

“Financing will be more sustainable than the way we are approaching it now,” he added.

Prof Aidoo’s remarks come as the government prepares to roll out emergency measures and reforms in the cocoa sector to address the ongoing liquidity crisis, with COCOBOD owing Licensed Buying Companies over GH¢10 billion in payments for cocoa delivered since November 2025.

The government has indicated that the reforms aim to move Ghana from exporting raw cocoa beans to producing more value-added cocoa products, while the Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, is expected to outline the detailed financial framework for implementation.