DR. EMMANUEL A. OPOKU RETIRES

Date: 15th January 2025

Dr. Emmanuel A. Opoku, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), retires after 33 years of dedicated and impactful service. 

Joining COCOBOD as a Research Officer on 2nd February 1992, Dr. Opoku demonstrated exceptional commitment and passion, which propelled him through the ranks. By 1996, he had risen to the position of Research Manager, setting the stage for an outstanding career.

Reflecting on his early years, Dr. Opoku recounted the demanding nature of the work: "At that time, sometimes, you had to work late into the night because the work actually demanded that we stayed a little longer." 

His diligence and innovative mindset led to his appointment as Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations in 2018, having previously served as Director of

Research and Monitoring and later as Executive Director of the Cocoa Health & Extension Division (CHED).

Dr. Opoku’s passion for excellence saw him spearheading several transformative initiatives at COCOBOD. During his tenure at the Research Department, where he spent his formative working years, he played a critical role in managing the processes for the Board's annual cocoa syndicated loan, ensuring its successful execution year after year. 

Reflecting on this period, he remarked, "At that time, that is 1992, the Board had conceived the idea of going for an offshore loan facility, and I was a key person who put all the modalities in place ahead of the loan. It was a novel decision but with the help of my team, I delivered".

At CHED, Dr. Opoku championed the integration of pollination into mainstream cocoa farming, an idea that became a cornerstone of the Productivity Enhancement Programmes (PEPs). "I insisted on its inclusion in cocoa farming activities, and thankfully, when the whole policy of PEPs came up, pollination became a key component. I really feel fulfilled," he said.

Dr. Opoku highlighted his pride in initiating and driving the implementation of the Cocoa Management System, a transformative project that established a comprehensive and robust database for cocoa farmers across the country. He emphasised that this ground-breaking achievement, coupled with the successful pilot of the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme, marks a significant milestone that will be forever etched in the history of the cocoa sector.

When asked about how he perceives the future of the cocoa sector, Dr. Opoku expressed optimism, citing recent policies introduced to boost production as very positive and directional. However, he urged staff to dedicate themselves to their work and called on future management to prioritise technical areas such as the Seed Production Division (SPD), CHED, and the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). He also emphasised the need for sustained investment in the cocoa rehabilitation programme to safeguard the industry.

As he takes a bow, Dr. Opoku remains open to supporting COCOBOD’s growth. "Yes, today I am retiring, but when my experiences are needed, I will freely share with anyone who needs help. As you know, I sleep and drink cocoa, so I shall be ready to help," he assured.

COCOBOD News, on behalf of all staff, extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Emmanuel A. Opoku on his well-deserved retirement and wishes him happiness and fulfilment in the years ahead.