Accra: The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is facing allegations of procuring luxury vehicles amidst ongoing financial difficulties, specifically its inability to pay cocoa farmers for the beans previously purchased from them. The controversy has sparked public criticism and unrest among the farming community, who are still awaiting payments for their produce from the 2025-26 cocoa season.
According to Ghana Web, Fiifi Boafo, a former Public Affairs Officer at COCOBOD, revealed that the management of the board has allegedly acquired four Land Cruisers for its chief executive, Dr. Randy Abbey, and his deputies. Additionally, the board is reported to have purchased 110 Toyota Hilux pickups and saloon cars intended for its directors. Boafo shared these allegations on social media, emphasizing the timing of these purchases at a moment when the board is struggling to fulfill its financial commitments to farmers.
Despite the gravity of the allegations and the public outcry that ensued, COCOBOD's management has yet to issue an official response more than 24 hours after the claims were made. The situation has exacerbated frustrations among cocoa farmers nationwide, who have threatened to demonstrate if payments are not expedited.
Dr. Randy Abbey, the CEO of COCOBOD, has urged farmers to exercise patience as government efforts are underway to address the arrears owed to them. He attributed the payment delays to the collapse of a long-standing syndicated loan agreement, which has significantly disrupted the financing of cocoa purchases, impacting both the farmers and the board.