Fresh controversy has erupted over the operations of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) after leading political figures traded accusations over debts, staff promotions and cocoa price management.
The former NPP Youth Organizer, Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency Kwado Yeboah, has alleged that COCOBOD “gambled” by anticipating a price increase in the new cocoa season and therefore failed to sell accumulated stocks.
According to him, the decision contributed to the current financial challenges facing the board.
He further claimed COCOBOD workers are over bloated and accused management of promoting staff unnecessarily within the government transition period, describing the move as “outrageous.”
Yeboah also alleged the Chief Executive Officer procured about 140 pickups and four Land Cruisers, worsening the financial situation.
He called on the government to find resources to settle the board’s mounting debt.
Adding to the discussion, the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) General Secretary, Citizen Ato Dadzie raised structural concern that COCOBOD should not be placed under the Finance Ministry but rather supervised by the Agriculture Ministry.
He warned the cocoa sector could become a major national problem if urgent measures are not taken.
Dadzie also questioned the delay in conducting a forensic audit into the board’s operations and transactions immediately after a change of government but has waited till date.
The discussion intensified after comments attributed to Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku suggesting government considerations to allocate about 70% of cocoa proceeds to farmers for which
the COCOBOD CEO Randy Abbey is reported to have challenged the proposal, insisting the timing could negatively affect pricing stability.
Critics say any reduction in cocoa prices would significantly hurt farmers and describe the move as a “haircut” on farmer incomes.
Calls for reforms and accountability
Stakeholders also questioned why a long-promised forensic audit into COCOBOD’s finances has delayed and demanded clarity on the board’s world market price monitoring system.
Moreover,the editor of newspaper, Charles McCarthy suggested Ghana should invest in local production of jute sacks to support cocoa storage and create jobs, rather than relying heavily on imports.
Again he alleged that governments has not fairly dealt with cocoa farmers, citing the cocoa clinic that was established in North Kaneshie instead of the cocoa growing area.
McCarthy warned that COCOBOD has been turned into money-making venture where people enrich themselves at the expense of the farmers and the government.
He further claimed that out of over 10,000 COCOBOD workers, less than 3,000 of them are agric extension officers.
Analysts warn that without transparency, accountability and policy clarity, the cocoa sector — a backbone of Ghana’s economy — could face deeper financial and political tensions in the months ahead.
