The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has dismissed a petition accusing the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Ransford Anertey Abbey, of failing to declare his assets and liabilities as required by law.

In a decision dated March 12, 2026, the commission described the allegations as “wholly lacking merit” after concluding that the COCOBOD boss had complied fully with the constitutional asset declaration requirements for public office holders.

The complaint was filed by journalist Wilberforce Asare, who alleged that Dr Abbey had violated Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana by failing to declare his assets after assuming office as CEO of COCOBOD.

Article 286 of the Constitution requires certain public officials to submit written declarations of all assets and liabilities to the Audit Service of Ghana through the Auditor-General. These declarations must be made within three months of assuming office, every four years while in office and at the end of the officer’s tenure.

Mr. Asare argued that although Dr Abbey had previously declared his assets while serving as a policy advisor, he had not done so after being appointed CEO of COCOBOD.

However, CHRAJ’s investigations found that Dr Abbey was appointed Acting CEO of COCOBOD on January 21, 2025, and submitted his completed asset declaration forms on March 24, 2025 — within the constitutionally required three-month period.

The commission also clarified that a discrepancy in the Auditor-General’s records, which listed Dr Abbey as a “Policy Advisor,” was due to an administrative error by the Audit Service and not a failure on the part of the COCOBOD CEO.

In its determination, CHRAJ stated that available evidence showed the declaration was made in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer and not as a policy advisor.

The commission further criticised the inaccurate description in the Audit Service’s records and the reliance on it by the complainant, describing the claim as erroneous and misconceived.

The ruling, signed by the CHRAJ Commissioner, Joseph Whittal, concluded that Dr Abbey had complied with both Article 286 of the Constitution and Section 7 of the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550).

CHRAJ therefore dismissed the petition and cleared the COCOBOD CEO of any wrongdoing.

The commission also commended Dr Abbey for submitting his asset declaration within the stipulated period and adhering to the legal requirements governing public office holders.

Dr Abbey continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board.