Edward Azi, an officer with the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating rate of cocoa smuggling in the Suaman District of the Western North Region.
Speaking at the 2025 Farmers’ Day celebration in Antokrom, Mr. Azi highlighted that illegal trade is currently sabotaging the rigorous agronomic training and technical support provided to farmers to improve crop yields.
The core of the issue lies in a collaboration between certain local farmers, middlemen, and cross-border smugglers. These groups utilize unapproved routes to transport dried cocoa beans into neighboring countries, primarily driven by the prospect of higher market prices outside of Ghana’s regulated system.
This practice not only depletes the national cocoa stock but also undermines the financial sustainability of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), which relies on these volumes to secure international credit and fund social interventions like the Cocoa Hi-Tech fertilizer program.
In response to this threat, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Suaman, Obour Vasco, announced that the local government has officially mobilized a dedicated task force. This team, composed of district assembly officials and national security personnel, is tasked with patrolling vulnerable border points and intercepting illegal shipments.
Authorities have signaled that they will move beyond mere interceptions to the prosecution of any individuals, including farmers, found to be facilitating the economic sabotage of the nation’s “black gold.”