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Remarkable Uplift: Ghana Unveils Free Tertiary Scholarships for Children of Cocoa Farmers

August 5, 2025

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A Major Breakthrough for Cocoa Farmers’ Families

Cocoa tertiary scholarship scheme – In a historic and uplifting development, the Government of Ghana has officially launched a free tertiary education scholarship scheme targeted at the children of cocoa farmers. This groundbreaking initiative, led by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, marks a pivotal step in addressing educational inequalities in rural Ghana, particularly within cocoa-growing communities that have long powered the nation’s economy but received limited returns in social investment.

Announcing the policy on Monday, August 4, Dr. Forson said the scholarship programme will be rolled out in full beginning from the 2026/2027 academic year, with planning and implementation to commence in the 2025/2026 cocoa season. The scheme is a collaborative effort between the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Ministry of Education, with full backing from President John Mahama’s administration.

“President John Mahama has introduced a tertiary education scholarship scheme for children of cocoa farmers. Subsequently, in the 2025/2026 season, the Cocobod will develop modalities and implement the scheme which will take full effect from the 2026/2027 academic years,” Dr. Forson said.

Scholarship Benefits to Cover Tuition, Accommodation, and Stipends

Cocoa tertiary scholarship scheme – The new Cocoa Tertiary Scholarship Scheme is set to provide full financial support to qualified students. It will cover tuition fees, accommodation costs, and a stipend for personal upkeep. This comprehensive package will ensure that financial barriers are removed for academically deserving students whose parents or guardians are actively engaged in cocoa farming.

Eligibility criteria include:

Proof of active involvement in cocoa farming by parents or guardians

Admission into a recognised tertiary institution in Ghana

Meeting the academic requirements set out by COCOBOD

This move directly responds to years of advocacy by farmer associations and civil society organisations pushing for more equitable educational support for children in cocoa-producing regions.

Correcting a Long-Standing Inequality

Despite cocoa’s indispensable role in Ghana’s economy contributing more than $2.5 billion in annual foreign exchange earnings many of the regions that produce this vital crop remain underdeveloped and educationally underserved. Children in these areas often face overwhelming financial and infrastructural challenges that limit their access to tertiary education.

Data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) shows that while national tertiary enrolment has been improving, students from rural, agricultural zones are disproportionately affected by financial hardship and limited access to learning resources. The new scholarship programme is positioned to narrow this educational divide, offering a lifeline to families who have sacrificed for generations to sustain Ghana’s cocoa legacy.

Empowering the Next Generation of Rural Professionals

Beyond easing the financial burden, the scholarship programme is designed to inspire long-term change. It aims to motivate youth in cocoa-growing regions to pursue higher education and professional careers, opportunities that have often been out of reach due to systemic poverty and geographic disadvantages.

This strategic investment in human capital has the potential to create a ripple effect. Educated individuals returning to cocoa-producing communities could foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and even bring value-addition to Ghana’s cocoa sector, increasing both local development and national wealth.

A Continuation of a Legacy of Support

This initiative builds on the existing COCOBOD Secondary School Scholarship Scheme, which has for years provided financial support to thousands of students at the basic and secondary education levels. The decision to extend this support to the tertiary level reflects a more holistic approach to educational development ensuring that children of cocoa farmers are not left behind in the quest for national progress.

By creating a seamless academic support structure, the government is aiming not only to reward the hard work of cocoa farmers but also to break the generational cycles of poverty that have plagued rural communities for decades.

A Bold and Timely Commitment

As Ghana pushes towards building a more inclusive, knowledge-driven economy, the importance of equitable access to education cannot be overstated. The Cocoa Tertiary Scholarship Scheme represents a bold, timely, and morally grounded policy decision that affirms the government’s commitment to transforming the lives of those who have long been the backbone of the national economy but lacked adequate social investment.

With implementation set for the upcoming academic years, all eyes will be on COCOBOD and the Ministry of Education as they begin the task of shaping what could be one of the most impactful social policies in Ghana’s recent history.

The future for children in cocoa-farming communities just got a little brighter and a lot more hopeful.