Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has announced intentions by the Ghanaian government to enact stringent measures aimed at effectively addressing the issue of cocoa bean smuggling to neighboring nations.
As per the minister’s statement, the enhanced Planting for Food and Jobs strategy encompasses measures that involve distributing confiscated smuggled cocoa beans evenly between the government and individuals who provide information about such activities.
“If anyone feels they still need to smuggle to Cote D’Ivoire we are going to launch an operation called ‘Catch and Share.’ With that, when we arrest the cocoa, anyone who will play a role in the arrest will receive a 50% share. We will share it with you 50/50. Not just the police or immigration officers, every single Ghanaian who will aid in the arrest of smuggled goods.”
The minister said the government as part of the measures has also ensured a significant increase in cocoa prices on the local market as another disincentive to smugglers.
As one of the two leading cocoa producers in the world, Ghana has over the years faced challenges in cocoa foreign exchange as compared to output due to smuggling.
The situation has largely been attributed to the low price on the local market as compared to neighbouring countries.