The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo Constituency, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has petitioned the Governing Board of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to withhold the confirmation of Mr. Ato Boateng as Deputy Chief Executive (Finance & Administration) and to direct him to temporarily step aside from office, citing serious governance, regulatory, and conflict-of-interest concerns.
In a formal petition, the MP raised allegations that Atlas Commodities Limited has been operating within warehouses registered under the Produce Buying Company (PBC), contrary to COCOBOD regulations, which require each warehouse to be used exclusively by a specific Licensed Buying Company.
Hon. Assafuah further noted that Mr. Boateng previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Commodities, arguing that the relationship creates a legitimate perception of conflict of interest, given his current strategic role overseeing financial approvals, administrative controls, and regulatory coordination at COCOBOD.
The petition also alleges that an attempt was made on February 20, 2026, to alter the shareholding structure of Atlas Commodities at the Registrar-General’s Department, raising additional concerns about potential regulatory interference and abuse of office.
Citing Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution and the Public Office Holders Act, the MP argued that good governance requires public officials under investigation to temporarily step aside to protect institutional integrity, ensure independent investigations, and safeguard public confidence in the management of the cocoa sector.
He stressed that the request is precautionary rather than punitive, aimed at preserving COCOBOD’s credibility, protecting the integrity of ongoing inquiries, and preventing any perception of undue influence.
As of the time of publication, COCOBOD had not issued an official response to the petition, while stakeholders within the cocoa industry continue to monitor developments closely.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
