COCOBOD to Reward Whistleblowers in Cocoa Smuggling Crackdown

By Edward Williams Hohoe (V/R), November 13, GNA – Dr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Chairman of the Board, Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has stated t...

By Edward Williams

Hohoe (V/R), November 13, GNA – Dr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Chairman of the Board, Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has stated that individuals who report cocoa smuggling will be given incentives.

He mentioned that a whistleblower would be eligible for one-third of the value of any "illicit items" seized.

During a stakeholder meeting on cocoa smuggling in Hohoe, Volta Region, Dr Ofosu-Ampofo mentioned that the Board had recognized one of the key issues COCOBOD is dealing with, particularly in the Volta and Oti regions, is the illegal export of cocoa beans across the nation's borders.

He mentioned that it became clear the contrast between the cost of inputs provided to farmers and the output in terms of production was not impressive.

He stated, "As a policy, we chose to meet with the stakeholders and identify some of the factors that contributed to this extraordinary level of smuggling."

Dr. Ofosu-Ampofo mentioned that COCOBOD would incorporate the results and recommendations into its policy development process to determine how it could restructure certain policy efforts to meet current challenges.

He mentioned that the government, via COCOBOD, introduced a new scholarship program for the children of cocoa growers, focusing on those about to enroll in higher education institutions.

Studies have shown that the Oti and Volta regions possess the finest soil, which is ideal for cocoa cultivation, and are also free from "galamsey" operations, Dr Ofosu-Ampofo mentioned.

He mentioned that the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana had created a hybrid cocoa variety, which is now shortening the time from planting to harvest from three years to 27 months.

He urged business groups, government employees, lawmakers, and anyone interested in entering the cocoa sector to seize the opportunities of this prosperous era by engaging in cocoa farming.

Dr. Ofosu-Ampofo stated that COCOBOD had identified several actions and that they planned to collaborate with Security Councils in the Oti and Volta regions to address the smuggling issue and bring it down to the lowest possible level.

Mr. Jake Kudjo Samahar, Director of Special Services at COCOBOD, mentioned that smuggling routes in the Oti Region encompassed Jasikan-Bodada, Asato-Kadjebi, Nkonya-Jasikan, Poase Cement-Obuasi, Dodofie-Dodo Amanfrom, and Pampawie-Amapayo-Ahamansu, extending all the way to Togo.

He mentioned that for the Volta Region, smuggling routes involved Tsito-Bame-Kpedze, Logba-Leklebi, Alavanyo-Hohoe-Kpando-Fodome-Wli, extending all the way to Togo.

Mr. Samahar mentioned that political involvement had been recognized as a barrier in the effort to combat cocoa smuggling.

He stated that between August 8 and September 29, 2025, a total of 14 vehicles carrying cocoa beans were seized by the Sogakope Taskforce, but only one of them was currently stored at the police station.

Mr. James Gunu, the Minister for the Volta Region, stated that the area is ideally located for cocoa production and would not serve as a temporary hub for cocoa smuggling.

He pointed out that the battle against cocoa smuggling was a critical issue, as each bag of smuggled cocoa represented a lost job in the cocoa industry.

GNA

Edited by Maxwell Awumah and Christabel Addo

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