'Produce evidence in 48 hours' - Annoh-Dompreh takes on Bono Regional Minister

Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has given the Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, 48 hours to provide evidence backing claims that he is involved in a cocoa smuggling scheme.

This follows allegations by the minister that the Minority Chief Whip is instigating a cocoa smuggling syndicate aimed at undermining the government, a claim linked to the arrest of four suspects allegedly involved in smuggling cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire into Ghana.

Four arrested for smuggling over 100 bags of cocoa into Ghana

Reacting to the claims on Angel FM on April 28, 2026, Annoh-Dompreh denied any wrongdoing and described the allegations as false and politically motivated.

He said his visits to cocoa-growing areas were only to engage farmers and understand their challenges, not to encourage illegal activity.

“In the first place, our mission for visiting the cocoa farming areas was to go and listen to their concerns and how we can help solve their issues,” he said.

He challenged the minister to prove the allegations, stressing that no evidence had been presented to support the claims.

“He claims we are instigating and encouraging purchasing clerks to steal across the border. He says he is a lawyer, and so I’m sure he knows what evidence is, and he who alleges has to prove,” he stated.

Annoh-Dompreh further gave the minister a 48-hour deadline to substantiate his claims or withdraw them.

“I am giving the regional minister 48 hours to come out with evidence to show what we did to encourage the smuggling syndicate. We don’t have time to waste on these wild allegations, and he knows in his heart that his claims are outright lies,” he said.

He insisted that opposition lawmakers will continue to speak on issues affecting cocoa farmers.

“We [Minority MPs] will not stop talking about cocoa issues in this country. If he has evidence that we are encouraging purchasing clerks, he should present it; if not, he should stop bothering us with empty allegations,” he added.

He also criticised the minister’s comments, describing them as political propaganda and confusion in governance.

“He should be ashamed of himself for his government’s confusion about governance. This allegation, cheap politics, and cheap propaganda aren't new to us, and we will not be moved by such tactics,” he stated.

The allegations by the Bono Regional Minister were first made during an accountability tour across parts of the Bono Region, where he claimed intelligence reports linked some individuals to the misuse of government funds meant for cocoa purchases.

According to the minister, licensed buying companies were diverting funds to purchase cheaper cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire instead of buying from Ghanaian farmers, a situation he said was being investigated by security agencies and COCOBOD’s anti-smuggling team.

Annoh-Dompreh instigating cocoa smuggling syndicate to undermine gov’t – Bono Minister alleges

He further alleged that recent farm visits by Annoh-Dompreh formed part of efforts to influence buying companies to engage in smuggling activities, a claim the Minority Chief Whip has firmly rejected.



MAG/VPO

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