The Executive Management and Senior Staff of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have agreed to reduce their salaries due to ongoing liquidity difficulties affecting the cocoa sector.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 16, 2026, COCOBOD said the salary adjustments take effect immediately and will remain in force through the 2025/2026 crop season. Members of the Executive Management will take a 20 percent pay cut, while Senior Staff will accept a 10 percent reduction.
According to the Board, the decision is part of wider efforts to control costs and ensure spending aligns more closely with available revenue. Management added that further measures are underway to restore financial stability, including reforms in procurement processes and a staff rationalisation exercise.
The announcement comes amid mounting pressure within the cocoa industry, driven by increasing operational expenses, financing constraints, concerns about farmer welfare, and growing public scrutiny over cocoa pricing and COCOBOD’s financial health.
In recent weeks, cocoa-related matters have dominated national discussions, particularly debates surrounding producer prices and the long-term viability of cocoa farming. Analysts have also highlighted the significant financial obligations tied to cocoa purchases, operational costs, and exposure to fluctuations in global market prices.
COCOBOD’s leadership described the salary cuts as a sign of collective responsibility as the institution pursues broader restructuring initiatives during the crop year. However, the statement did not specify the extent of the liquidity shortfall or estimate the expected savings from the reductions