The Executive Management and Senior Staff of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have announced salary reductions in response to ongoing liquidity challenges within the cocoa sector.
In a press release dated Monday, February 16, 2026, COCOBOD stated that the pay cuts take immediate effect and will remain in place for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop year. Executive Management will take a 20 percent reduction in salaries, while Senior Staff have accepted a 10 percent cut.
The decision forms part of broader cost-containment measures aimed at aligning expenditure with revenue as the Board grapples with financial pressures.
Management indicated that additional interventions — including procurement reforms and a staff rationalisation exercise — are being implemented to stabilise the institution’s finances and improve operational efficiency.
The announcement comes at a time of heightened strain in the cocoa industry, characterised by rising operational costs, financing constraints, concerns over farmer welfare, and intensified public scrutiny over cocoa pricing and COCOBOD’s financial position.
In recent weeks, the sector has been at the centre of national debate, particularly regarding producer prices and the long-term sustainability of cocoa farming in Ghana.
Industry observers have also highlighted the heavy financing burden associated with cocoa purchases, operational commitments, and exposure to global price volatility as key factors contributing to the Board’s current challenges.
COCOBOD’s leadership has framed the salary reductions as a demonstration of shared sacrifice as the institution undertakes broader restructuring efforts during the ongoing crop season.
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