The Executive Director of the Good Governance Advocacy Group Ghana, Listowel Nana Kusi Poku, has launched a scathing attack on the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Randy Abbey, accusing him of gross incompetence and mismanagement. Listowel Poku described Abbey as a leader devoid of vision, policies, and innovative ideas, claiming his tenure has failed to deliver meaningful benefits to cocoa farmers despite substantial revenue inflows.
Nana Poku highlighted COCOBOD’s sale of 80% of the country’s cocoa beans to foreign buyers, which reportedly generated over $3 billion in revenue. However, he alleged that these funds have been squandered on frivolous expenditures, including unnecessary procurement deals and the purchase of luxury vehicles for Abbey and his inner circle. The money meant for farmers’ upliftment has vanished into procurement scandals and personal perks, leaving our cocoa producers in abject poverty, Nana Poku lamented, urging immediate accountability.
Refusing to hold Abbey fully responsible for these lapses, Nana Poku attributed the CEO’s failures to a fundamental lack of understanding of cocoa farming’s intricacies. “Randy Abbey doesn’t grasp the complexities of the sector he leads, he’s simply out of his depth, he stated. This comes amid Abbey’s repeated excuses blaming inherited debts from the previous administration for COCOBOD’s underwhelming performance a narrative Poku dismissed as untenable.
In a pointed comparison, Poku contrasted Abbey’s approach with that of President John Mahama, noting that the President inherited even larger debts yet has delivered results without resorting to finger-pointing. Mahama turned challenges into opportunities through decisive leadership, while Abbey hides behind excuses as a poor manager without a single policy to show, Nana Poku asserted. The advocacy group has called for a thorough audit of COCOBOD’s finances and Abbey’s immediate resignation to restore trust in the institution.
As Ghana’s cocoa sector remains a cornerstone of the economy, employing millions and contributing significantly to export earnings, the allegations have sparked concerns among farmers and stakeholders. COCOBOD has yet to respond to the claims, but the controversy underscores ongoing debates about transparency and effective governance in state enterprises.
Story by: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku