General News
COCOBOD Injects GH¢2.6 Billion to Clear Cocoa Farmers’ Payments
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has released GH¢2.6 billion to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to enable prompt payment to cocoa farmers for cocoa beans purchased across the country’s producing communities.
The disbursement, announced in a statement on Thursday, July 2, forms part of efforts to ensure that farmers who sold cocoa through the approved purchasing system receive the money owed to them.
COCOBOD revealed that it has so far paid GH¢34.52 billion to Licensed Buying Companies since the commencement of the 2025/26 cocoa season for onward payment to cocoa farmers nationwide.
The Board explained that nearly GH¢1.4 billion of the newly released amount has been earmarked to settle outstanding debts owed to farmers whose cocoa was previously bought on credit.
It said it is working closely with the Licensed Buying Companies to guarantee that all affected farmers are paid and has introduced monitoring measures to ensure the funds are distributed to the rightful beneficiaries.
COCOBOD reassured farmers that everyone who legitimately sold cocoa through the approved cocoa purchasing system would receive full payment.
The Board also commended cocoa farmers for their patience and resilience despite the payment delays, emphasising that no eligible farmer would be denied payment.
Farmers who have not yet received their money have been encouraged to contact the Licensed Buying Company through which they sold their cocoa as efforts continue to clear all outstanding payments.
According to COCOBOD, the release of the funds demonstrates the government’s determination to protect cocoa farmers’ welfare while sustaining confidence in Ghana’s cocoa industry.
The Board further expressed appreciation to cocoa farmers for their continued hard work and contributions to the country’s economy, adding that it will continue to collaborate with the government and industry stakeholders to strengthen the cocoa value chain, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and promote the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa sector.
General News
Investigative Journalism Under Siege as Corruption Becomes the New Normal – Nana Kwadwo Jantuah
Veteran journalist Nana Kwadwo Jantuah has raised concerns over the state of investigative journalism in Ghana, arguing that widespread corruption is making wrongdoing appear normal to the public.
Speaking on the challenges facing the media via a zoom meeting on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Jantuah said society has become so deeply affected by corruption that many questionable actions are now accepted by the masses without scrutiny.
According to him, powerful individuals often prioritize money above integrity, creating an environment where “every foul means” is used to accumulate wealth.
He also weighed in on recent comments by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) General Secretary, stating that while the official’s position is correct, some journalists are likely to oppose the move and criticize him for allegedly failing to meet what they describe as accepted professional standards.
Jantuah warned that investigative journalism is increasingly under pressure, stressing that journalists committed to exposing corruption must remain steadfast despite criticism and resistance.
He maintained that protecting ethical journalism is essential to safeguarding accountability and strengthening Ghana’s democracy
General News
Canceling Zoomlion Contract Was Reckless and Unsubstantiated – Andy Kankam Slams Government Over Accra Flood Crisis
Managing Editor of the Informer, Andy Kankam, has strongly criticized the government’s handling of the recent flooding in Accra, describing the decision to terminate Zoomlion Ghana Limited’s sanitation contract as “reckless and unsubstantiated.”
Speaking on the aftermath of the devastating floods on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Kankam argued that the government’s response has failed to address the root causes of the disaster, insisting that the GHS150 million allocated for flood-affected communities is inadequate.
According to him, the President should have consulted engineers and technical experts before announcing relief measures to determine the cost of expanding drainage systems and creating effective flood channels, rather than relying on political decisions.
He also questioned the process that led to the release of the relief funds, asking what consultations were undertaken before the government approved nearly GHS200 million for flood victims.
Kankam further lamented the worsening sanitation situation in the capital, claiming that heaps of refuse remain uncollected because Zoomlion no longer has a contract to clean parts of the city.
He challenged authorities to identify which company currently has the capacity to replace Zoomlion’s nationwide sanitation operations, arguing that the contract termination has contributed to choked drains and poor waste management.
The media executive maintained that flood prevention requires long-term engineering solutions and effective sanitation management, rather than emergency political interventions after disasters occur.
By Maurice Otoo
General News
Ghana Armed Forces to Deploy Troops and Engineers for Nationwide Flood Recovery Operation
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will launch a nationwide operation to desilt major drains, rivers, and waterways in response to the severe floods that affected various regions of Ghana on June 28 and 29, 2026.
This initiative is part of the government’s flood recovery and mitigation efforts aimed at restoring damaged infrastructure and reducing the risk of future disasters. Military personnel, engineering units, and specialised machinery will be deployed to clear blocked drainage systems by removing silt, refuse, fallen trees, abandoned vehicles, collapsed structures, and other debris that obstructs the free flow of water.
At a press briefing in Accra on Friday, July 3, the Director General of Joint Operations at the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, stated that the initiative aims to reopen critical drainage channels and enhance public safety in flood-prone communities. He emphasised that roads, bridges, drains, and waterways clogged with debris would be cleared to restore normal movement and strengthen the country’s resilience against future flooding.
Brig. Gen. Okae-Yeboah also mentioned that authorities may remove buildings and other structures that have been illegally constructed within waterways or those deemed to pose an immediate danger to lives and property. He clarified that such actions will be taken in accordance with existing laws and in collaboration with the relevant civil authorities.
He urged individuals occupying drainage reserves and environmentally protected areas to cooperate with officials throughout the exercise to ensure its successful implementation.
The operation will be carried out through a coordinated effort involving several state institutions, including the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Health Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The government anticipates that this exercise will improve drainage systems, restore critical public infrastructure, and minimise the impact of future flooding across the country.
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