Former Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Fiifi Boafo, has claimed that deepening leadership disagreements between COCOBOD and the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC) are having serious consequences for cocoa farmers. He alleges that tensions at the top of Ghana’s cocoa industry are disrupting support systems and putting farmers’ livelihoods at risk, potentially leaving many without the income they rely on from cocoa production.
According to Boafo, disagreements between the management teams of COCOBOD and CMC — which is responsible for buying and marketing cocoa — have created operational delays and confusion, especially at a time when cocoa prices and farmer support systems are already under pressure. He said the situation has contributed to delays in payments to farmers and uncertainty about when or how services and inputs will be delivered. These developments, he said, could lead to food insecurity and economic hardship for farmers who depend on stable cocoa earnings.
Boafo’s comments reflect growing concern among some stakeholders in Ghana’s cocoa sector that institutional conflict can have direct effects on the rural farming community. Cocoa is a major export crop and source of national revenue, and more than half a million smallholder farmers depend on cocoa for their income. When administrative disagreements delay critical functions such as payments or crop marketing, farmers feel the impact quickly.
Critics argue that leadership disputes between key institutions like COCOBOD and CMC should be resolved quickly to ensure efficient support for farmers and protect Ghana’s standing in the global cocoa market. These institutions play vital roles in buying, pricing and exporting cocoa, and any breakdown in coordination can disrupt long-established systems that farmers rely on.
COCOBOD’s current leadership has not released a detailed response to Boafo’s specific claims, but in the past the organisation has denied related allegations about internal restructuring and the handling of directors, calling some reports misleading. The board’s broader priority remains stabilising cocoa production, addressing smuggling and working with stakeholders to support farmer welfare.
Cocoa farmers themselves have expressed frustration about ongoing challenges, including smuggling, reduced revenue and labour issues, factors that compound concerns when institutional tensions arise. Many believe that strong leadership and clear policy direction are essential to ensuring that the sector generates sustainable income and supports rural livelihoods.
