The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah, has confirmed the seizure of 100 bags of cocoa and the arrest of four people allegedly linked to a cocoa smuggling syndicate operating in Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa West District of the Bono Region.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Regional Coordinating Council in Sunyani on Tuesday, the Minister said the arrests followed complaints he received from cocoa farmers during his recent accountability tour of communities within the Dormaa enclave.
According to him, investigations revealed that some licensed cocoa buying companies and purchasing clerks were allegedly neglecting local cocoa farmers despite receiving government support to buy cocoa beans. Instead, they were reportedly purchasing cocoa from neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire and smuggling it into Ghana.
Mr. Addae Akwaboah disclosed that the four suspects include known executives of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), with one identified as a Dormaa West constituency executive and a cocoa purchasing clerk.
He accused the suspects of engaging in the illegal trade to undermine government efforts to stabilise the cocoa sector and make the administration unpopular.
“The government is offering better cocoa prices compared to Côte d’Ivoire, but some individuals are deliberately sabotaging the system for political reasons,” he stated.
The Minister warned that authorities would continue to crack down on cocoa smuggling activities across the Bono Region and stressed that anyone found engaging in the illegal trade would face prosecution.
He also cautioned political actors against using the cocoa sector for partisan interests, warning that attempts to tarnish the image of the government through illegal activities would not be tolerated.
Mr. Addae Akwaboah further accused Frank Annoh-Dompreh of allegedly encouraging cocoa smuggling activities aimed at discrediting the NDC government.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s cocoa industry and urged residents along border communities to support efforts to combat smuggling and other illicit trade activities.