The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA) has accused certain officials within COCOBOD of participating in private cocoa buying activities. The association claims these actions are undermining confidence, distorting competition, and worsening financial pressures within the cocoa sector.

These concerns were raised during the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with the Produce Buying Company (PBC).

The agreement is aimed at supporting the revival of the struggling cocoa purchasing firm and improving farmer welfare.

Impact on Ghana's Cocoa Business

Speaking on behalf of the association, GNACOFA President Stephenson Anane Boateng warned that deep-rooted challenges—including cocoa smuggling, illegal mining on cocoa farms, and delayed payments to farmers—continue to threaten the industry. He specifically targeted the involvement of regulators in purchasing operations.

“There are concerns involving public officials, particularly within COCOBOD, engaging in private buying operations that undermine confidence in the sector,” Boateng stated.

GNACOFA maintains that such practices damage transparency and create unfair conditions for genuine market players and cocoa farmers. The group stressed that these issues continue to distort Ghana’s cocoa business, disadvantage genuine cocoa farmers, and create opportunities for financial irregularities.

Partnership Intended to Restore Trust

The remarks come at a difficult time for Ghana’s cocoa industry, as falling production, smuggling, and liquidity challenges continue to strain Licensed Buying Companies and farmer incomes.

Against this backdrop, GNACOFA explained that its partnership with PBC is designed to help restore trust within the cocoa value chain while repositioning PBC as a stronger and more reliable buyer.

The association noted that this partnership marks a significant milestone towards ensuring the sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa business while supporting the revival and restoration of PBC as a strong institution within the cocoa sector.

GNACOFA concluded by calling for greater transparency and accountability across the cocoa sector, insisting that rebuilding farmer confidence will require integrity from both regulators and buying companies.