The Government of Ghana has announced plans to revive the state-owned Produce Buying Company (PBC) and the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) as part of sweeping reforms to strengthen the country’s cocoa value chain and boost local participation in the sector.
Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, disclosed the move while outlining government’s broader strategy to reform the cocoa sector and improve its long-term sustainability at a Press briefing today, Thursday 12th February, 2026.
According to Dr. Forson, the revival of the two state-owned companies is critical to restoring balance within the cocoa industry and promoting value addition.
“The new financing model will also revive the indigenous licensed buying companies that have been completely thrown out of business as a result of the current financing model,” he stated.
He explained that government has directed the immediate restoration of PBC to enable it play a leading role in cocoa purchasing across the country.
“State-owned Produce Buying Company, PBC, will be revived to resume full operations and become the leading licensed buying company in the cocoa sector with immediate effect,” Dr. Forson announced.
The Finance Minister noted that the reforms are designed to strengthen local participation in cocoa trading and reduce excessive reliance on external financing arrangements that previously dominated cocoa purchases.
In addition to reviving PBC, Dr. Forson revealed that government will also prioritize the revitalization of the Cocoa Processing Company to enhance domestic cocoa processing.
“The state-owned Cocoa Processing Company, CPC, will be revived as a matter of priority to become the leading processor of Ghana’s cocoa beans,” he said.
He emphasized that strengthening local processing capacity will support government’s policy of increasing domestic cocoa processing and creating employment opportunities.
Dr. Forson further indicated that the reforms will allow COCOBOD to sell cocoa beans to local processors in larger volumes to promote value addition.
“With the new financing model, COCOBOD can sell beans of any volume to local processing companies to promote value addition and job creation,” he stated.
The revival of PBC and CPC forms part of broader cocoa sector reforms approved by Cabinet, which include the introduction of a new financing model, increased local processing of cocoa beans, and measures to improve the financial position of COCOBOD.
Government believes the reforms will help reposition Ghana’s cocoa industry to capture more value from its cocoa production while improving livelihoods for farmers and stakeholders across the cocoa value chain.
