The Deputy Director of Research at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Eric Amengor, has revealed that the government is considering tougher penalties to combat cocoa smuggling, including a proposed 10-year prison sentence and fines of up to 200,000 penalty units.
He made the disclosure during the EU Deforestation Regulation multi-stakeholder engagement in Accra on Tuesday, May 26.
Mr Amengor said a new Cocoa Board law currently before Cabinet aims to make sanctions more punitive for anyone involved in smuggling cocoa into or out of the country.
“Yes, there is a new Cocoa Board law. We are reviewing our laws and making it very punitive for anyone who attempts to smuggle cocoa in or out of Ghana. We have proposed a 10-year jail term and 200,000 penalty units or both,” he stated.
He added that the reforms also include the establishment of a special cocoa tribunal to ensure swift prosecution of cocoa-related offences.
“We also intend to propose a cocoa tribunal to ensure that cocoa cases are dealt with as quickly as possible,” he said.
On financing, Mr Amengor revealed that COCOBOD is engaging the Ministry of Finance and local banks to secure domestic funding for cocoa purchases in the 2026/2027 crop season.
“Instead of going for the syndicated loan, we are in talks with the Ministry of Finance and the banks. This 2026/2027 season, we intend to borrow locally to support cocoa purchases,” he added.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
