COCOBOD CHIEF EXECUTIVE ENGAGES SHIPPING LINE AGENCIES ON OPERATIONAL MATTERS

Date: 14th March 2025

The Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Ransford Abbey, has met with key representatives of shipping line agencies engaged in business with COCOBOD.

The meeting served as an opportunity for the agencies to formally congratulate Dr. Abbey on his appointment, familiarise themselves with the new management, and discuss pressing industry concerns affecting cocoa exports.

The representatives of the shipping agencies highlighted critical challenges affecting their operations. One major issue raised was related to some hurdles associated with container inspections. They noted that delays in the inspection process significantly increased operational costs and negatively impacted their efficiency. 

Additionally, the bad state of the Kejebri road in the Western Region was cited as a key concern, as it discouraged truck drivers from making trips, thereby delaying cocoa shipments to the ports.

They called for closer collaboration with COCOBOD to review the operational framework and develop a streamlined process to improve turnaround times for their vessels.

In response, the Chief Executive assured the shipping agencies that COCOBOD would work with them to explore ways to address the specific challenges in the shipping and logistics subsector of the cocoa value chain, including taking steps to remove the bureaucratic bottlenecks affecting their operations.

Dr. Abbey reiterated his commitment to continuous dialogue with industry players to ensure a seamless cocoa export process that benefits all stakeholders involved.

Dr. Abbey used the meeting to address the broader issues affecting cocoa production. He posited that the surge in illegal mining (galamsey), cocoa smuggling, and the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) has contributed to the decline in output. 

He assured the shipping agencies that COCOBOD, in collaboration with the National Security apparatus, was actively working to curb cocoa smuggling by tightening monitoring measures along the country’s borders. He further emphasised that the government, through relevant ministries and agencies, was taking decisive action against illegal mining, which has destroyed vast cocoa farmlands.

Dr. Abbey also underscored the importance of education in tackling illegal mining, stating that farmers were being sensitised on the long-term risks of selling their farms for illegal mining purposes. He mentioned ongoing community outreach programmes aimed at discouraging cocoa farmers from engaging in such land sales to miners. 

On the issue of CSSVD, he reiterated COCOBOD’s commitment to rehabilitating affected farms with disease-resistant/tolerant cocoa seedlings and improving farm management practices as part of a broader effort to sustain cocoa production.