The Ghanaian government has unveiled a new initiative to support the children of cocoa farmers, with Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announcing the introduction of a tertiary education scholarship scheme, set to take effect from the 2026/2027 academic year. The policy, revealed on Monday, aims to enhance educational opportunities for the offspring of those who form the backbone of Ghana’s cocoa industry, a sector critical to the nation’s economy.
Speaking during a press briefing broadcast by GHOne TV monitored by bigstuffmediagh.com, Dr Forson highlighted the government’s commitment to uplifting rural communities dependent on cocoa farming. “This scholarship scheme is a testament to our dedication to ensuring that the children of our hardworking cocoa farmers have access to higher education, breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering the next generation,” he said.
The initiative, to be managed by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) starting with the 2025/26 cocoa season, will see the development of guidelines to ensure fair distribution. This move comes as Ghana seeks to bolster its social investment programmes amid ongoing economic reforms, including a recent debt restructuring agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Cocoa farming remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy, contributing over 30% to its export revenue, according to World Bank figures. However, the sector has faced challenges, including rising labour costs and environmental concerns, with nearly 80% of the country’s forest cover lost to illegal logging between 1990 and 2016, as reported by the Ghana Forestry Commission.