By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana (LICOBAG) has blamed governance failures and excessive political interference for the worsening state of Ghana’s cocoa industry, warning that without structural reforms, the sector’s long-term viability is at risk.
Addressing the media, LICOBAG said repeated attempts to engage the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on post-harvest challenges had been unsuccessful, forcing the Association to publicly outline concerns affecting the entire cocoa value chain.
According to LICOBAG, efforts to reform the cocoa sector over the years have largely been superficial, marked by policy inconsistencies, abandoned programmes following changes in government, and the misapplication of funds intended to revitalise the industry.
The Association criticised what it described as excessive political interference in COCOBOD since 2013, arguing that frequent politically motivated changes in leadership and staffing have eroded professionalism, weakened institutional memory, and lowered staff morale.
LICOBAG said the absence of clear succession planning and security of tenure has created an environment where efficiency, accountability, and long-term planning have been compromised.
These governance weaknesses, the Association noted, have contributed to poor decision-making in funding, sales, and operations, worsening the financial challenges facing LBCs and farmers.
To restore confidence, LICOBAG called for the swift passage of a new legal framework to modernise cocoa pricing mechanisms, strengthen transparency, and insulate COCOBOD from undue political influence.
The Association also urged improved communication and collaboration between COCOBOD and industry stakeholders, stressing that restoring professionalism and trust is critical to safeguarding Ghana’s position as a leading global cocoa producer.
