Cocoa Farmers Accuse Some COCOBOD Officials of Secret Cocoa Buying Activities

The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association has accused some officials within COCOBOD of engaging in private cocoa buying activities that are weakening confidence in Ghana’s cocoa industry and placing additional pressure on farmers and licensed buyers.

The concerns were raised during the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between GNACOFA and Produce Buying Company, an initiative aimed at helping revive the struggling cocoa purchasing firm while improving conditions for cocoa farmers across the country.

Speaking on behalf of the association, GNACOFA President Stephenson Anane Boateng said the cocoa sector continues to face major challenges, including cocoa smuggling, illegal mining on cocoa farms, delayed payments to farmers and alleged private buying activities involving some public officials.

According to him, reports of officials within COCOBOD participating in private cocoa buying operations are creating unfair competition and damaging trust within the industry.

“There are concerns involving public officials, particularly within COCOBOD, engaging in private buying operations that undermine confidence in the sector,” he stated.

GNACOFA stressed that such practices threaten transparency within the cocoa value chain and negatively affect genuine cocoa farmers and licensed buying companies.

The association added that the cocoa sector is already under pressure due to falling production levels, liquidity challenges and the growing problem of cocoa smuggling, all of which continue to affect farmer incomes and the operations of Licensed Buying Companies.

Despite the challenges, GNACOFA believes its new partnership with PBC will help rebuild confidence in the sector while strengthening the role of the Produce Buying Company within Ghana’s cocoa industry.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone towards ensuring the sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa business while supporting the revival and restoration of PBC as a strong institution within the cocoa sector,” the association noted.

GNACOFA also called for greater transparency, accountability and integrity across the cocoa sector, insisting that restoring farmer confidence will require commitment from both regulators and cocoa buying companies.