Ghana’s Cocobod reports success tackling cocoa smuggling

The Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) has reported that the Anti-cocoa Smuggling Task Force, alongside national customs officials and police authorities have successfully intercepted attempts to traffic cocoa illegally to neighbouring Togo, writes Neill Barston.

According to the country’s industry regulator, earlier this month, series of operations across the nation saw 295 bags and 30 drums of cocoa being seized, with corresponding arrests made. The organisation also reported several further key actions around the country.

As Confectionery Production has previously reported, cocoa smuggling in both Ghana and neighbouring Ivory Coast has remained a persistent problem within the region.

The scale of the issues has not been publicly quantified, but its prevalence has indeed led to the creation of anti-smuggling authorities, aiming to stamp out what is widely perceived to be a damaging factor in the profitability of the region’s crucial cocoa sales.

Furthermore, as our title has also observed, a growing factor of so-called ‘galamsey’ illegal gold mining operations within both Ghana and Ivory Coast, has further negatively impacted the region, as farmers are paid-off to leave land that would had formerly been used for cocoa farming that has been targeted by unlicensed gold diggers.

Smuggling linked to low pay
As for the issue of farmer cocoa smuggling, many indsutry observers have asserted that this has issue has been fuelled by the comparatively low farm gate prices that have been paid to farmers in both countries.

However, Cocobod has reportedly moved to address the issue and recently offered producers an additional rise that effectively put pay at the equivalent  $3,100 a tonne, though the prospect of smugglers potentially earning more elsewhere in the region has 

Commenting on the case, Cocobod stated in a press release that it was determined to stamp out cocoa smuggling.

It noted: “The Ghana Cocoa Board has reiterated its call on the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities related to cocoa smuggling.

“Together, stakeholders can help sustain the integrity of Ghana’s cocoa, which remains a symbol of national pride and a critical contributor to the country’s economic growth.”