The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, has reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to tackling the growing menace of cocoa smuggling in the country.
He announced that COCOBOD will collaborate closely with the National Security apparatus to curb the illegal exportation of Ghana’s cocoa beans to neighboring countries.
Cocoa smuggling has become a significant threat to the country’s cocoa sector, depriving Ghana of vital revenue and undermining the livelihoods of local farmers.
Smugglers take advantage of price differences in the sub-region, transporting cocoa across borders to sell at higher rates.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mr. Abbey emphasized that the fight against cocoa smuggling requires a multi-faceted approach involving intelligence gathering, stricter border controls, and decisive enforcement actions.
“We recognize the severe impact of cocoa smuggling on our economy and the livelihoods of hardworking farmers.
COCOBOD is, therefore, strengthening collaboration with National Security to ensure that we clamp down on this illegal trade. Our farmers deserve to reap the full benefits of their labor,” he stated.
He further disclosed that COCOBOD is working on strategies to improve monitoring and surveillance at border points, including the deployment
of technology-driven solutions and increased community engagement to discourage illicit trade.
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