The Produce Buying Company (PBC) has secured a financing facility backed by a GH₵30 million credited cocoa stock to enable prompt payments to farmers amid ongoing liquidity challenges within Ghana’s cocoa sector.

This intervention comes at a time when several Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) continue to face severe cash constraints and delayed payments to farmers, causing heightened concerns across the cocoa supply chain.

Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Produce Buying Company and the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA), the Deputy Managing Director in charge of Finance, Thomas Ayisi, described the facility as a major step aimed at restoring confidence among cocoa farmers and repositioning the company after years of financial difficulties.

He noted that by securing the facility to pay for credited stocks, PBC distinguishes itself from competitors who still owe farmers, thereby restoring credibility and rebuilding trust at the grassroots level. He emphasized that the GNACOFA-backed facility proves that PBC is actively restructuring rather than merely surviving.

According to Mr. Ayisi, the financing arrangement will strengthen PBC’s operational capacity and guarantee timely payments to farmers during the cocoa purchasing season.

He stated that the company remains committed to rebuilding its relationship with cocoa farmers by improving efficiency and addressing longstanding operational challenges.

He added that the partnership with GNACOFA is part of broader efforts to deepen collaboration with farmers and enhance sustainability within the cocoa sector.

The National President of the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association, Stephenson Anane Boateng, stated that the partnership will support efforts to address major challenges confronting the cocoa sector, including smuggling and illegal mining.

He noted that the collaboration with PBC presents an opportunity to establish stronger systems and structures that will directly support cocoa farmers and improve their welfare.

The agreement is also expected to help stabilize farmer incomes while the sector continues to navigate financing and operational pressures.