Old Tafo MP calls for probe into alleged COCOBOD conflict of interest

The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has called for an independent investigation into alleged irregularities within the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest at the top of the institution.

In a statement, the MP cited what he described as troubling developments involving the COCOBOD administration, led by Chief Executive Randy Abbey and his deputy in charge of Finance and Administration, Ato Boateng.

According to the lawmaker, records at the Registrar-General’s Department and other publicly available sources indicate that Boateng has an established professional association with Atlas Commodities Limited, where he is listed as Chief Executive Officer.

Assafuah referred to a waybill issued in the name of Atlas Commodities Limited, which he said shows the movement of 800 bags of Grade One cocoa from Kedjebi during the 2025/2026 crop season. He argued that the document raises questions about the operational role of the company within the cocoa purchasing structure.

The MP further alleged that funds intended for Licensed Buying Companies, including the Produce Buying Company (PBC), were instead directed to the private entity, with cocoa reportedly stockpiled in anticipation of price increases. He claimed that such activities were taking place in parts of the Central and Eastern Regions.

He noted that COCOBOD serves as the regulator of all Licensed Buying Companies and warned that any situation in which the regulator is linked, directly and indirectly, to cocoa purchasing operations would constitute a serious conflict of interest and undermine regulatory integrity.

Assafuah also raised concerns over claims that Atlas Commodities Limited is using warehouses registered under PBC, a situation he said would breach COCOBOD regulations that require each warehouse to be tied to a specific licensed buying company.

He further alleged that a task force report relating to the matter has not been made public.

Describing the claims as serious, the MP called for an urgent and independent investigation, adding that the matter has reportedly been brought to the attention of police in Jasikan and Hohoe.

He stressed that cocoa farmers deserve transparency, accountability, and protection from any actions that could undermine their livelihoods.

Efforts to obtain an official response from COCOBOD were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.