Volta Regional Minister, COCOBOD Board Chair Lead Stakeholder Engagement on Anti-Cocoa Smuggling.
A high-level stakeholder engagement on the fight against cocoa smuggling has been held at the Hohoe Municipal Assembly Hall, bringing together security agencies, traditional authorities, cocoa farmers, and representatives of Municipal and District Assemblies from the Volta and Oti Regions.
Addressing the gathering, the Director of Special Services at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) revealed that Ghana loses an estimated 1.1 billion dollars annually to cocoa smuggling. He expressed concern that some members of the security services may have been compromised, urging collective vigilance and community collaboration to protect the nation’s cocoa sector.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of COCOBOD, Hon. Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, described the development as deeply troubling, noting that the Volta and Oti Regions have become preferred destinations for cocoa cultivation due to favourable conditions and increasing farmer interest. He announced that COCOBOD would continue to support farmers with free pesticides, fungicides, and improved seedlings, while disclosing plans for a tertiary scholarship scheme for the wards of cocoa farmers.
Dr. Ofosu Ampofo further revealed that the Ministry of Finance is making funds available to acquire land for large-scale commercial cocoa plantations, following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama. He added that informants who assist in identifying and arresting smugglers will receive one-third of the confiscated cocoa as a reward for their vigilance.
The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, reaffirmed the region’s full commitment to the national campaign, emphasizing that cocoa “used to be the spirit and soul of Ghana.” He warned that anyone using the Volta Region as a transit route for smuggling would face severe sanctions, and praised farmers in the Volta and Oti Regions for producing some of the best quality cocoa in the country.
The meeting brought together members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), Municipal and District Security Councils, Board and Management of COCOBOD, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), farmers, chiefs, and other key stakeholders in the cocoa value chain.
