COCOBOD CE DECRIES PRIORITISING ROAD CONSTRUCTION OVER CORE COCOA MANDATE

Date: 30th April 2025

The Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Ransford Abbey has expressed strong disapproval about the decision of the Board over the years to focus more on building roads than on COCOBOD’s main responsibilities, such as making funds available for cocoa purchases, provision of inputs, increasing production, ensuring quality and sustaining the cocoa sector.

Dr. Ransford Abbey, who was on a duty tour in the Brong Ahafo Cocoa Region, used his interactive meeting with cocoa farmers at Temponso in the Bechem District to clarify that the construction of roads is not part of COCOBOD’s official mandate, but the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Roads and Highways.

According to Dr. Abbey, COCOBOD’s incessant involvement in road construction at the expense of its core mandate has significantly contributed to the financial challenges the institution currently faces. He pointed out that contracts awarded under the second phase of the Cocoa Roads Improvement Programme (CRIP II) during the previous administration has plunged the institution into heavy debts. 

“Under the CRIP II project, contracts were awarded in US dollars, resulting in a debt of GH¢21 billion. This debt has become a burden as the institution embarks on a financial restructuring process,” he said.

He further explained that COCOBOD does not receive funding from the Government of Ghana through the national budget for road construction. Instead, the Board has, in the past, undertaken such projects on a limited basis as a gesture of goodwill, aimed at complementing the Government’s efforts to improve access in cocoa-growing communities and facilitate the transportation of cocoa beans from farms to buying centres.

“When the finance minister presents the national budget in Parliament, there is no allocation made to COCOBOD for road projects. Instead, funds for road construction are directed to the Ministry of Roads and Highways,” he explained. 

The COCOBOD CE emphasised that road projects previously undertaken by COCOBOD were corporate citizenship efforts to support the improvement of the road network in hard-to-reach cocoa-growing communities. He added that such initiatives could only continue after the institution’s financial health has been restored through fiscal discipline and prudence.  

“Our production levels are currently low, but the international market price is favourable. We must work to increase production and hope for continued price stability, and take advantage. If these conditions are met and operational costs are covered, we can consider completing some of the neglected road projects and starting new ones,” he assured.

He also reaffirmed COCOBOD’s commitment to supporting cocoa farmers and improving their livelihoods across the seven cocoa-growing regions.

“You are my priority. Dr. Even in the face of financial challenges, I am committed to enhancing your welfare. Without your efforts and the beans you produce, COCOBOD wouldn’t exist. The more you produce, the more reason I have to remain in office, so let us work together for our collective good”, he added.

He called on all cocoa farmers to help the government turn COCOBOD’s fortunes around, particularly in the upcoming 2025/2026 Crop Season and beyond.