The Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Sam Jerome, has dismissed claims that staff of the Board benefit more from cocoa proceeds than farmers.
Addressing growing public speculation, he clarified that cocoa farmers receive the larger share of revenue generated from cocoa exports. According to him, if COCOBOD projects 50,000 metric tonnes in a season and the total revenue amounts to $100 million, approximately $70–$80 million goes directly to farmers.
He stressed that the remaining $20–$30 million covers operational costs and other administrative expenses, noting that it is inaccurate to suggest that COCOBOD workers pocket sums comparable to what farmers collectively receive.
Sam Jerome explained that the perception may stem from the numerical difference between staff and farmers. While COCOBOD has an estimated 10,000 permanent staff, the number of cocoa farmers nationwide ranges between 800,000 and one million.
He further illustrated that under the new producer price, a cocoa farmer harvesting about 10 bags per month could earn roughly GH¢26,000. He questioned how many COCOBOD staff earn such an amount monthly, arguing that the figures clearly show farmers, in many cases, earn more than individual employees of the Board.
The PRO emphasized the need for accurate understanding of cocoa revenue distribution, insisting that farmers remain the primary beneficiaries of the industry’s earnings.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku