Cocoa farmers have raised concerns over alleged private cocoa buying activities involving some officials within COCOBOD, claiming the practice is weakening confidence in the sector, distorting competition, and increasing financial challenges within Ghana’s cocoa industry.
The concerns were highlighted by the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association during the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Produce Buying Company aimed at supporting the revival of the cocoa purchasing firm and improving the welfare of farmers.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Stephenson Anane Boateng warned that long-standing challenges, including cocoa smuggling, illegal mining activities on cocoa farms, and delays in payments to farmers, continue to pose serious threats to Ghana’s cocoa industry.
He indicated that concerns had emerged regarding alleged involvement of some public officials, particularly within COCOBOD, in private cocoa buying activities.
According to the association, such practices undermine transparency within the industry and create unfair conditions for legitimate market participants and cocoa farmers.
GNACOFA further argued that these issues continue to disrupt the cocoa business environment, place genuine farmers at a disadvantage, and create opportunities for financial irregularities within the sector.
The concerns come at a difficult period for Ghana’s cocoa industry as declining production levels, cocoa smuggling, and liquidity challenges continue to place pressure on licensed buying companies and reduce farmers’ incomes.
Against this backdrop, the association stated that its partnership with PBC seeks to restore trust within the cocoa value chain and reposition the company as a stronger and more dependable player in the industry.
GNACOFA described the partnership as an important step toward promoting sustainability within Ghana’s cocoa sector while supporting the recovery and strengthening of PBC as a key institution.
The association also called for increased transparency and accountability across the sector, stressing that restoring confidence among farmers will require greater integrity and commitment from regulators and industry stakeholders.
