The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is facing intense scrutiny following comments made by its CEO, Randy Abbey, which have been deemed damaging to the organization. According to Channel One News, Michael Kwasi Aidoo, MP for Oforikrom, has blamed Abbey for the ongoing crisis in the cocoa sector, stating that the CEO and his management team must take responsibility for decisions made under their leadership.
Aidoo criticized Abbey’s leadership, citing policy choices such as the distribution of free fertilizers and producer price adjustments, which have placed significant financial strain on COCOBOD and worsened the plight of cocoa farmers. “It is the management that advised the government to increase the price to GH₵3625. If they knew they had crisis, why did they give fertilisers free to government, when they knew it will also come at a cost?” Aidoo questioned.
The MP’s comments come amid calls for Abbey’s dismissal, with the Minority caucus in Parliament linking a recent reduction in the cocoa producer price to the adoption of a spot-buying model. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has defended the decision, stating that the price adjustment reflects shifts in global cocoa market conditions and forms part of broader efforts to stabilise the sector.
Cocoa farmers have also voiced their discontent, demanding Abbey’s resignation and citing alleged mismanagement and failure to disburse payments. According to Rock FM, farmers have been forced to borrow to sustain themselves and their families due to the prolonged delay in payments.
The crisis has sparked concerns about COCOBOD’s future, with some calling for reform and a farmer-centered value-chain model. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the cocoa industry is at a critical juncture, and decisive action is needed to restore confidence and ensure the sector’s long-term viability.
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Author: Korkor Anumu
