The Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), together with national security, have seized hundreds of bags of cocoa at old Akrade in the Asuogyaman district for attempting to smuggle cocoa beans.
According to the national security source, the task force received a tipoff around midnight about individuals transporting cocoa beans to Togo. The cocoa beans were concealed under a load of chipping powder in a tipper truck with the registration number GN-1773-24.
The operation was described as a decisive one against growing cocoa smuggling in the country, and it underscored the commitment of authorities to safeguard Ghana’s cocoa industry and combating illegal trading activities aimed at exporting cocoa beans across the border to Togo.
Currently, Ghana’s cocoa sector is facing significant challenges due to widespread smuggling, climate change, disease, and illegal mining activities.
Cocoa is also more profitable in Ivory Coast and Togo than in Ghana because of a more stable CFA franc currency and a less regulated sector.
By the close of June, Ghana had produced 429,323 metric tons of cocoa, which is less than 55% of the average production at the same point in previous seasons.
According to the anti-smuggling task force, cocoa losses due to smuggling have more than tripled in 2023/24. It is conservatively estimated that the country lost 160,000 tons.
However, efforts by the task force have yielded some marginal results as it was able to intercept about 250 tons, up from 17 tons in 2022/23.
