Kwame Asare Obeng (A-Plus) an independent Member of Parliament elect, has blown the whistle on corruption in the cocoa sector, alleging that a small clique of party supporters, service providers, COCOBOD staff, and its CEO are reaping disproportionate benefits at the expense of hardworking cocoa farmers.
For decades, cocoa farmers have toiled to provide a sustainable income for themselves and their families, while generating revenue that has funded national projects, including the University of Ghana. However, these farmers have been exploited, with many children forced into labor on cocoa farms without ever tasting the fruits of their labor – chocolate.
The corrupt system has created an attractive alternative for struggling farmers – illegal mining (galamsey). With the potential to earn nearly $90,000 monthly from gold, farmers are opting for this lucrative option instead of waiting months for meager returns from cocoa farming. This has led to a significant decline in cocoa production, with Ghana facing a potential 40% deficit in cocoa output for the 2023/24 season.
A-Plus vows to take drastic measures if the government fails to address the plight of cocoa farmers. He threatens to collect evidence of child labor on cocoa farms, which could lead to Ghana’s cocoa being banned from the international market. The MP elect’s ultimatum serves as a wake-up call for the government to reform COCOBOD, ensure fair compensation for farmers, and provide incentives to boost cocoa production.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
