Ghana Army to crack down on cocoa smuggling syndicates, says COCOBOD
Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the 2024/25 cocoa price launch, Aidoo stressed that while the regulator is working to address the problem, additional intervention from stakeholders, including the army, is crucial
Ghana is enlisting the support of the military to combat the smuggling of cocoa beans, a serious issue impacting the nation’s cocoa production.
Joseph Boahen Aidoo, CEO of COCOBOD, who made this disclosure also revealed that Russia’s Wagner Group is among the syndicates involved in the illegal activities.
Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the 2024/25 cocoa price launch, Aidoo stressed that while the regulator is working to address the problem, additional intervention from stakeholders, including the army, is crucial.
“Recently, we did some checks on a West African data survey, and it turned out that while Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire production is going down, Burkina Faso, Western Nigeria, and Guinea-Bissau are experiencing increases,” Aidoo explained.
“This tells us that something is happening—national miscreants and economic wreckers are smuggling cocoa to these regions and then on to international buyers, including Russians.”
To tackle this issue, Aidoo has formally requested the Minister for Defence to mobilize military support.
“I have written to the Minister for Defence to come and assist. This is a national cause, and we need the military’s help to fight this menace,” he added.
Meanwhile it has emerged that some farmers in cocoa-growing areas across the country have expressed dissatisfaction with the new pension scheme proposed by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), citing concerns over the contribution structure.
According to the scheme, farmers are expected to contribute 5% of their earnings, while COCOBOD will contribute 1%. This arrangement has been met with resistance, as farmers believe the contribution ratio should be reversed.
Commenting on the matter CEO of COCOBOD Joseph Boahen Aidoo, explained that the regulator is now shifting its focus to more receptive districts while seeking to clarify the purpose and benefits of the pension scheme.
Reporting By Jonathan Ofori, Asaase Newsroom, Kumasi
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