'We have warehouses in four regions' - Atlas Commodities clarifies

Atlas Commodities Limited has rejected claims by the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, that the company operates without its own warehouses, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

In a press statement dated February 24, 2026, the company said it maintains operational depots in major cocoa-growing areas across the country.

“Vincent Assafuah’s assertion that Atlas Commodities Ltd. has no warehouses is not true. Atlas has warehouses at cocoa-growing areas in the Ashanti, Eastern, Western, and Central regions,” the statement said.

The clarification follows comments made by Assafuah at a press conference on February 23, 2026, where he suggested that Atlas may be operating from facilities belonging to the state-owned Produce Buying Company (PBC), in breach of regulations.

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The MP also raised concerns over possible conflicts of interest involving Atlas and officials of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), arguing that some private firms may be benefiting from access to state infrastructure.

He cited the Regulations and Guidelines for the Internal Marketing of Cocoa, 2015, which require Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to operate only in warehouses registered in their own names.

“Warehouses registered under PBC must not be used by another company for storage, grading, sealing, or processing of cocoa,” he stated.

Atlas, however, maintained that it has operated rented and registered depots in multiple districts since commencing operations in 2018. It noted that its facilities span several communities in the Ashanti, Eastern, Central, and Western South regions, including Effiduase, Kade, Nyakrom, Tarkwa, and Bogoso.

The company added that these arrangements are supported by tenancy agreements and are verifiable through records held by the Quality Control Company and COCOBOD.

Atlas mentioned that is also holds sustainability certifications under the Rainforest Alliance programme, which it said reflects compliance with industry standards.

The company however acknowledged that it temporarily used a PBC depot in Hohoe in December 2025 but described the move as an isolated, district-level arrangement.

“The facility was made available by the local PBC District Manager while Atlas was setting up operations in the Volta Region to prevent cocoa from being smuggled out of the country.

“Access to the PBC facilities was granted at the district level within the context of established operational relationships,” the statement noted, adding that borrowed jute sacks had since been replaced.

While Atlas insists it operates independently and in accordance with regulatory requirements, Assafuah maintains that questions remain regarding access to infrastructure and compliance with cocoa marketing rules.