Cocoa farmers have accused some officials within COCOBOD of engaging in private cocoa buying activities that are undermining confidence, distorting competition and worsening financial pressures within the cocoa sector.
The concerns were raised by the Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA) during the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with the Produce Buying Company (PBC), aimed at supporting the revival of the struggling cocoa purchasing firm and improving farmer welfare.
Speaking on behalf of the Association , President of GNACOFA Stephenson Anane Boateng warned that deep-rooted challenges including cocoa smuggling, illegal mining on cocoa farms and delayed payments to farmers continue to threaten Ghana’s cocoa business.
“There are concerns involving public officials, particularly within COCOBOD, engaging in private buying operations that undermine confidence in the sector,”he stated.
GNACOFA says such practices are damaging transparency and creating unfair conditions for genuine market players and cocoa farmers.
“These issues continue to distort Ghana’s cocoa business, disadvantage genuine cocoa farmers, and create opportunities for financial irregularities,” the group stressed.