At a time when the cocoa sector is under intense strain and thousands of cocoa farmers are still waiting to be paid for produce delivered months ago,
At a time when the cocoa sector is under intense strain and thousands of cocoa farmers are still waiting to be paid for produce delivered months ago, fresh controversy has emerged over alleged spending decisions by the management of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
The allegations, made public by a former Public Relations Officer of the institution, have reignited debate about priorities within COCOBOD and deepened public anger over the plight of unpaid farmers.
In a Facebook post that has since gained widespread attention, Fifi Boafo, a former Corporate Affairs Manager of COCOBOD, claimed that management of the company has procured four new Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles for the Chief Executive Officer and his deputies.
According to the post, the purchases did not stop there. Management is also alleged to have acquired about 110 Toyota Hilux pick-up trucks and additional saloon cars for directors and other senior officials of the organization.
The claims come against the backdrop of an ongoing crisis in the cocoa industry, where farmers across cocoa-growing regions have reportedly not been paid for beans sold since late 2025.
Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), which serve as the link between farmers and COCOBOD, have complained of delayed reimbursements running into billions of cedis, a situation that has left farmers without income and forced some to sell produce at discounts or on credit.
Boafo’s post questioned the moral and managerial justification for such procurement at a time when COCOBOD is struggling to meet its core obligation of paying farmers promptly.
He suggested that the alleged vehicle purchases highlight a disconnect between the lived realities of cocoa farmers and the decisions being taken at the top levels of the institution.
COCOBOD has historically played a central role in the economy, managing cocoa marketing, ensuring farmer welfare, and safeguarding the country’s position as one of the world’s leading cocoa producers.
Over the years, successive governments have emphasized that the welfare of farmers must remain central to the Board’s operations, especially during periods of price volatility and financial difficulty.
However, in recent months, the institution has come under sustained criticism from opposition politicians, farmer groups, and industry observers. They argue that delays in paying farmers not only threaten livelihoods but also risk encouraging cocoa smuggling and undermining confidence in the regulated marketing system that has long defined Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The timing of the alleged procurement has therefore drawn sharp reactions, particularly as cocoa farmers struggle to meet basic needs such as healthcare, school fees, and reinvestment in their farms.
Critics say any perception of lavish or non-essential spending by COCOBOD management, whether confirmed or not, further erodes public trust in the institution at a critical moment.
While COCOBOD has yet to officially respond to the specific claims raised by the former PRO, the issue has intensified calls for transparency, accountability, and a reordering of priorities within the cocoa regulator.
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