Cocoa farmers have raised alarm over what they describe as prolonged delays in payments for their produce, warning that the situation is pushing many farmers into severe financial hardship.
According to the farmers, the persistent delay, now stretching to about six weeks, has left many unable to meet essential obligations such as healthcare, school fees, and other household expenses.
“It is really affecting farmers. Some are sick and want to seek medication, but they don’t have money to go to the hospital. Do you want them to die?” one cocoa farmer questioned.
“We cannot keep the cocoa because farmers don’t have the storage facilities. As I speak, it’s been about six weeks with no money for cocoa farmers. This is seriously affecting the sector,” amother one said.