COCOBOD Moves to Tighten Cocoa Smuggling Laws Amid Cross-Border Price Pressures
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is collaborating with Parliament to tighten laws on cocoa smuggling as part of renewed efforts to protect Ghana’s cocoa sector from the persistent threat of cross-border smuggling.
The move, according to the Board, seeks to make penalties more stringent and serve as a strong deterrent to individuals and syndicates smuggling cocoa to neighbouring countries where producer prices are relatively higher.
Speaking in an interview, the Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Jerome Sam, noted that the Board is adopting a multipronged approach to address the smuggling menace, including legislative reforms and operational changes within the cocoa sector.
“One of the measures being employed to curb cocoa smuggling is shifting the start of the main crop season from October to August,” he disclosed.
Mr Sam further emphasized the critical role of prompt payments to cocoa farmers in reducing the appeal of illicit cross-border trade. According to him, timely payments provide an incentive for farmers to sell through official channels rather than engaging in illegal activities.
“We have to make sure that we do prompt payment. So even if it is GH¢1, the person would have to get his money there and then. So if I am assured of getting paid when I take my cocoa to the D.O. or to any LBC and I will get money, why would I engage in illegality?” he questioned.
“These are some of the measures we are putting in place in order to wow the Ghanaian farmer or discourage the farmer from taking his cocoa bean outside the jurisdiction of the country to other neighbouring countries,” Mr Sam added.
COCOBOD’s current push comes amid growing concerns over the significant volumes of cocoa being smuggled out of Ghana due to price arbitrage, a trend that threatens national revenue and farmer livelihoods.
