A Ghanaian civil society organisation has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss Dr. Ransford Annetey Abbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), over allegations of mismanagement and poor leadership. The petition, dated February 9 and submitted through the Chief of Staff, was filed by the Good Governance Advocacy Group Ghana (GGAGG) on behalf of “aggrieved cocoa farmers across the country,” according to its Executive Director.
The letter accused Abbey’s administration of “poor leadership choices, incompetence, arrogance, intimidation tactics, misplaced priorities, financial mismanagement, questionable renovations, resistance to change, undermining initiatives, and blocking operational improvements.” However, the petition did not provide supporting evidence for these claims. The petition praised Mahama’s overall leadership and economic stewardship, contrasting it with the agency’s management under Abbey.
COCOBOD is responsible for regulating, purchasing, and exporting cocoa in Ghana, the world’s second-largest producer, and provides livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of farmers. The call for Abbey’s removal comes as the cocoa sector faces a financing crisis. President Mahama has scheduled an emergency cabinet meeting for Wednesday (11 February), to address liquidity shortfalls that have delayed payments to farmers and licensed buying companies, raising concerns about supply chain disruptions and declining producer confidence.
The Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana has cautioned that without emergency funding to secure an estimated 300,000 tonnes of cocoa beans, the procurement system risks collapse. Among the measures being considered is abandoning the syndicated loan model that has financed cocoa purchases since 1992.
Farmers have also voiced dissatisfaction with producer prices for the new crop season, arguing that current rates fail to reflect rising production costs and could encourage cross-border smuggling. Neither COCOBOD nor the presidency has yet responded to the petition, though officials indicated that the upcoming cabinet session will examine short-term financing options, ensure timely payments to farmers and buyers, and pursue reforms to stabilise the sector. Cocoa remains central to Ghana’s economy, providing vital foreign exchange and sustaining rural livelihoods nationwide.
Source: Jonathan Ofori
