The Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana has issued a strong warning against what it describes as growing political interference in the country’s forestry and cocoa sectors, cautioning that such actions are endangering farmers’ livelihoods and accelerating environmental destruction.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Association’s President, Nana Oboadie, said delayed cocoa payments and alleged police-backed illegal logging point to deeper governance failures that require urgent national attention.
“This is not speculation. It is real. We are on the ground and we see what is happening,” Nana Oboadie stated, stressing that farmers are facing severe hardship due to unpaid cocoa proceeds and unchecked destruction of forest reserves.
He warned that political manipulation of state institutions is worsening the crisis, adding that the cocoa sector, in particular, is being weakened by poor oversight and lack of transparency. According to him, while the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has given assurances that outstanding payments will be settled, many farmers have gone months without receiving their money.
“I have been on the ground educating farmers about what is happening. For over three months, farmers have not been paid. We engaged COCOBOD, and they assured us that directives have been issued for payments to be made this month. But until the money reaches the farmers, the suffering continues,” he said.
On illegal logging, Nana Oboadie made disturbing allegations of systemic complicity, claiming that some criminal activities are being protected by individuals within law enforcement structures.
“People are cutting down trees, destroying forests, and doing it in the name of powerful people. Some police officers and district commanders are allegedly providing armed protection for criminals who are destroying state property,” he alleged.
He described the situation as a national governance crisis and appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama to take decisive action to protect farmers, forest resources, and state institutions.
“This is a national problem. The country is in a serious situation. This is something the President must see and address. Reports have been submitted before and ignored. If this one is also ignored, then we are failing the nation again,” he warned.
The Association is calling for immediate reforms, stronger institutional accountability, timely payment of cocoa farmers, and firm action against illegal logging networks to safeguard Ghana’s economy and natural resources.
