COCOBOD calls for stronger regional security collaboration to curb cocoa smuggling

The Board Chairman of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has urged closer collaboration between COCOBOD and Regional Security Councils to curb the rising incidence of cocoa smuggling and the diversion of farm inputs across Ghana’s borders.

Mr Ampofo made the call during a meeting with the Western Regional Minister in Sekondi, as part of a three-day working tour of the region. He described smuggling as an escalating national problem that continues to weaken the cocoa sector and threaten the livelihoods of farmers.

He explained that the challenge has expanded beyond the illegal trafficking of cocoa beans to include the diversion of free farm inputs and other essential resources provided to farmers. According to him, COCOBOD distributed agricultural inputs worth about US$5.8 million to farmers this year, investments that are at risk when inputs are misused or produce is sold through unauthorised channels.

Mr Ampofo noted that weak coordination between COCOBOD and regional authorities has hindered effective monitoring and enforcement. In some instances, he said, regional ministers were not sufficiently familiar with COCOBOD’s regional operational structures, limiting cooperation in tackling smuggling activities.

He stressed that stronger partnerships would improve intelligence-sharing among security agencies, enhance tracking of input distribution, and support the implementation of more robust monitoring systems in cocoa-growing areas.

In a related development, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD in charge of Operations, Dr James Kofi Kutsoati, disclosed that reforms are underway to restructure the cocoa input distribution system. He said the new approach would convert cooperative groups into a taskforce model aimed at strengthening disease and pest control on cocoa farms.