Mahama introduces scholarship scheme for children of cocoa farmers

The government has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at expanding access to tertiary education for children of cocoa farmers. The move further demonstrates its commitment to social equity and agricultural development.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the launch of the Cocoa Tertiary Scholarship Scheme, a new policy intervention that will benefit thousands of cocoa-producing households across the country.

The scheme, which is set to be designed and managed by COCOBOD, will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic year.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to announce to cocoa farmers that President Mahama has introduced a Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme for children of cocoa farmers,” the Finance Minister disclosed at the press conference.

“In the 2025/26 season, COCOBOD will develop modalities and implement the Cocoa Tertiary Scholarship Scheme, which will take effect from the 2026/27 academic year,” he added.

The scholarship is expected to ease the financial pressures many cocoa farmers face in providing higher education for their children. It is part of a broader package of pro-farmer policies being rolled out under the Mahama-led administration.

The Finance Minister disclosed that the scheme will be developed during the 2025/2026 cocoa season, with COCOBOD tasked to define the implementation modalities in collaboration with relevant educational institutions.

This latest announcement follows a series of major policy shifts in the cocoa sector, including the reintroduction of free fertiliser and input distribution, and a record-breaking increase in the cocoa producer price—from US$3,100 to US$5,040 per tonne, representing a 62.58% increment.

Stakeholders say the new scholarship initiative will not only provide long-term educational benefits but will also reinforce the economic stability of farming communities that have long underpinned Ghana’s cocoa-driven economy.

The programme is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring that the children of cocoa farmers are not left behind in the nation’s development journey, especially at a time when the global cocoa market remains volatile.