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COCOBOD Crisis: Farmers need clear solutions, not assurances – Miracles Aboagye
Political communicator Miracles Aboagye has criticised the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) over the handling of the ongoing cocoa payment crisis, saying farmers need clear solutions rather than assurances.
According to him, he was not inspired after listening to the COCOBOD CEO, Dr.Randy Abbey’s address the issue, especially after the crisis has persisted for several months.
“I listened to the COCOBOD CEO and I wasn’t inspired. This crisis started as far back as November 2025, and here we are in February 2026, still telling farmers you’re looking for solutions. That is not assurance,” he said.
Mr. Aboagye described the situation as a sign of leadership failure, arguing that after four months, government should have clearly outlined concrete measures to resolve the problem.
He questioned how long farmers are expected to wait, stressing that continued delays are discouraging and deeply worrying, especially as the country prepares to enter the main cocoa crop season.
He said he had visited several cocoa-growing communities and interacted directly with farmers, some of whom have not been paid for months.
According to him, the situation is pushing some farmers to consider selling their cocoa farms to illegal small-scale miners, commonly known as galamsey operators, who are offering immediate cash.
“The offers from galamsey operators are tempting. If farmers work hard and government delays their money, they may be forced to destroy cocoa farms just to survive,” he warned.
Mr. Aboagye described the situation as dangerous for the future of cocoa farming, noting that cocoa farms are long-term investments that support families across generations.
He cited examples of cocoa farms passed down through families over decades, stressing that cocoa farming is more sustainable than illegal mining, which destroys land and leaves communities worse off.
He also appealed to farmers not to give up their farms despite the challenges, urging them to think about future generations.
Mr. Aboagye called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to treat the cocoa crisis with urgency, saying the complaints from farmers are genuine and not exaggerated.
“The complaints are real. I have been to the farms. I have listened to the farmers. What they are saying on the airwaves is exactly what they are experiencing on the ground,” he said.
He added that cocoa farmers are facing rising living costs and need immediate support to survive.
The cocoa payment delays have sparked growing public concern, with calls mounting for government and COCOBOD to act swiftly to protect farmers and the cocoa sector.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Thomas Partey, Ransford Yeboah Königsdörffer, Kojo Oppong Peprah, and Alexander Djiku trained with the Black Stars on Tuesday, March 23 as preparations intensify for the international friendly against Austria on Friday.
The newly arrived players—Partey, Königsdörffer, Oppong Peprah and Djiku—joined the group training Tuesday afternoon in readiness for the match.
Partey and Djiku bring valuable experience and dexterity to the team, having played a major role in securing Ghana a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America.
All 25 players participated in Tuesday’s training session, each aiming to catch the eye of head coach Otto Addo.
The full squad present at training included Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Benjamin Asare, Joseph Anang, Patrick Pfeiffer, Derrick Luckassen, Derrick Kohn, Jerome Opoku, Caleb Yirenkyi, Kojo Oppong Peprah, Jonas Adjetey, Marvin Senaya, Gideon Mensah, Elisha Owusu, Ibrahim Sulemana, Kwasi Sibo, Jordan Ayew, Prince Kwabena Adu, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Antoine Semenyo, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Daniel Agyei, Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku, and Ransford Yeboah Königsdörffer.
Training will continue on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the match on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The Kadjebi District Police Command, through a sustained intelligence-led operation, has arrested a suspect, Chalim Madzaton, also known as Peter Tano, 36, a farmer.
He was apprehended at his hideout in Kpaya, a suburb of Ahamansu, in connection with the murder of 80-year-old Dakolor Semaka.
On March 24, 2026, police received a report that the suspect had allegedly attacked his girlfriend, Yaa Tugbenyo, 55, and her mother, the deceased, at their residence in Mangoase near Kadjebi During the incident, Yaa Tugbenyo managed to escape but later returned to find her mother lying motionless on the floor.
Police Officers visited the scene and found the body of the deceased lying in a supine positior with isible signs of violence.
The scene was processed, and photographs were taken for evidential purpose.
The deceased was pronounced dead by a medical officer at St. Mary Theresa Hospital and the body has since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The suspect is currently in Police custody assisting with investigations and will be arraigned before court.
