The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Otokunor, has accused the government of mismanaging the operations of the Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration.
Otokunor made the comments during a media interaction aimed at highlighting issues in the cocoa sector, one of Ghana’s most important agricultural industries. He argued that poor leadership decisions, unnecessary expenditures, and improper procurement practices have weakened Cocobod’s effectiveness and hurt the welfare of cocoa farmers.
According to Otokunor, the problems facing Cocobod did not arise overnight but are the result of years of what he described as careless governance. He claimed that under the current government, the board engaged in “needless procurements” that drained resources without delivering value for money or improved productivity for farmers.
Otokunor said that instead of prioritising investments in critical areas such as production support, farmer extension services, and improved processing infrastructure, funds were allegedly diverted to non-essential expenses. He argued that these decisions have exacerbated the difficulties farmers face, including low producer prices and limited access to essential services.
The NDC official criticised recent policies implemented by the government as lacking foresight and not aligned with the real needs of cocoa producers. He said Ghanaian cocoa farmers, who contribute significantly to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings, deserve better support and more accountable leadership from institutions entrusted with the sector’s success.
Otokunor also called for restructuring and stronger oversight at Cocobod to ensure that future procurements and spending decisions are transparent and focused on enhancing productivity and farmer welfare. He urged policymakers to learn from past errors and adopt reforms that can restore confidence in the cocoa value chain.
Farmers and industry stakeholders have reported declining morale in some cocoa-growing regions, citing financial pressures, rising input costs, and delays in payments as major concerns. Otokunor believes that mismanagement and poor planning have contributed to many of these challenges, and that urgent corrective action is needed.
The debate over Cocobod’s operations continues to garner attention from civil society, political actors, and the public, particularly as global cocoa markets fluctuate and farmers call for more stable support systems. Otokunor’s comments reflect broader criticism of government oversight in key economic sectors.
