Ghana’s cocoa industry is facing a severe challenge, with over 120,000 metric tons of cocoa beans smuggled out of the country between 2022 and 2023, according to Joseph Boahene Aidoo, CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
The alarming figure highlights the growing issue of cross-border smuggling, which threatens both the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and the nation’s economy.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, October 14, Mr. Aidoo disclosed that the increasing trend of smuggling is driven by higher cocoa prices in neighboring countries, making it more lucrative for smugglers to divert Ghanaian cocoa beans for better profits.
“The current international market pricing system is creating an imbalance. Smugglers are exploiting this by moving cocoa out of Ghana to countries where the price is more attractive,” Mr. Aidoo explained. “Between last year and this year, Ghana has lost between 100,000 and 120,000 metric tons of cocoa through illegal channels.”
He warned that the situation is undermining efforts to boost Ghana’s cocoa production and export earnings. Despite interventions by COCOBOD and government agencies, the fight against smuggling has been less effective than anticipated. The CEO emphasized that the illegal trade not only reduces Ghana’s cocoa export figures but also deprives farmers of their hard-earned income.
“This illicit activity is detrimental to the nation. Cocoa farmers are losing out, and the country is missing valuable revenue that could support critical sectors of the economy,” Aidoo said. He pointed out that the 2022-2023 cocoa season has been particularly affected by the smuggling activities.
The CEO called for urgent regional cooperation between Ghana and its neighboring countries to close the gaps that smugglers are exploiting. He also stressed the need for enhanced border security and the deployment of advanced monitoring systems to track the movement of cocoa across borders.
While COCOBOD is working to address the issue, Mr. Aidoo admitted that without a coordinated response across the region, Ghana’s cocoa industry could continue to suffer significant losses. “Stronger partnerships and stricter controls at the borders are crucial if we are to stop this damaging trend,” he concluded.