By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
In a bold step to support the educational dreams of children in cocoa-growing communities, President John Dramani Mahama has introduced a new Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme. The initiative, aimed at easing the financial burden on cocoa farmers, will provide vital educational opportunities to their children across the country.
The scholarship programme will be spearheaded by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and is expected to kick off in the 2025/2026 cocoa season. Full implementation of the scheme is set for the 2026/2027 academic year.
President Mahama described the initiative as a strategic move to ensure that the children of cocoa farmers are not left behind in the quest for higher education. He emphasized that the Cocoa Tertiary Scholarship Scheme is part of a broader commitment to social equity and human capital development, particularly in rural areas.
“The backbone of Ghana’s economy has been cocoa, and yet the families behind this vital industry often struggle to afford tertiary education for their children,” the President stated. “This scholarship is a step towards giving back to the hardworking cocoa farmers who sustain our nation.”
The scheme will cover tuition and other relevant academic costs for qualified students from cocoa farming backgrounds, enabling them to pursue degree and diploma programmes at accredited tertiary institutions in Ghana.
Stakeholders have widely welcomed the announcement, describing it as a transformational policy that recognizes the contributions of cocoa farmers and empowers the next generation through education.
COCOBOD is expected to release further details on eligibility criteria and the application process in the coming months.
