President of the Licensed Cocoa Buying Companies (LBCs), Samuel Adimado, has denied claims that the government has instructed cocoa buyers to halt purchases of cocoa beans nationwide amid concerns over delayed payments to farmers.

The denial follows allegations by Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who claimed that LBCs had been told to stop buying cocoa due to the government’s alleged inability to pay for newly harvested beans.

Annoh-Dompreh made the assertion during a courtesy visit by the Minority Caucus to the Paramount Chief of the Offinso Traditional Area, Nana Dwamena Akenten II, as part of the Asante traditional Akwasidae festival in Offinso.

Speaking in an interview with Akwasi Nsiah on Adom TV’s Badwam, Adimado dismissed the claims, stressing that cocoa purchases are ongoing.

“There has been no directive from government asking Licensed Buying Companies to suspend cocoa purchases. LBCs are still buying cocoa beans and farmers are also selling to us,” he said.

Adimado described the legislator’s statement as unfortunate, warning that such claims could create unnecessary tension between cocoa farmers and LBCs.

He further noted that the government, through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has released over GH¢4 billion to LBCs for payments to cocoa farmers whose beans were purchased as far back as November last year.

“Payments have started, although not all farmers have received theirs yet. Measures are in place to ensure that every farmer who supplied cocoa beans will be paid,” he assured.

Adimado urged farmers to remain calm, reaffirming that cocoa purchasing is ongoing nationwide and that efforts are being made to settle all outstanding payments.