The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is intensifying efforts to combat cocoa smuggling by collaborating with Parliament to strengthen existing laws and impose stiffer penalties on smugglers and their collaborators. This strategic push aims to protect Ghana’s cocoa industry, which continues to be threatened by cross-border smuggling fueled by price disparities in neighboring countries.
As part of its multi-pronged approach, COCOBOD is considering a significant shift in the cocoa calendar moving the start of the main crop season from October to August. The goal is to get ahead of illegal trade cycles and make local sales more appealing to farmers. Jerome Sam, Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD mentioned in an interview with a local news network.
“We have to make sure that we do prompt payment. So even if it is GHȼ1, the persons would have to get his money there and then. So if I am assured of getting paid when I take my cocoa to the D.O or to any LBC and I will get money, why would I engage in illegality?” Jerome Sam, quizzed.
He stressed that timely payments to cocoa farmers are critical in discouraging illegal exports.
“These are some of the measures we are putting in place in order to wow the Ghanaian farmer or discourage the farmer from taking his cocoa bean outside the jurisdiction of the country to other neighboring country. Aside that, we are liaising with Parliament and other relevant institutions to make sure that the smuggling of the cocoa bean becomes punitive enough,” he added.
These reforms, combining legislative backing with operational improvements, mark a renewed commitment to securing Ghana’s cocoa economy while ensuring fair treatment and incentive for local farmers.
