GH¢2,000 Reward for Cocoa Smuggling Whistleblowers Announced by COCOBOD.

COCOBOD CEO Joseph Boahen Aidoo has introduced a GH¢2,000 reward for informants who report cocoa smugglers, ensuring that culprits are apprehended. The initiative aims to protect Ghana’s cocoa industry from revenue losses due to smuggling.

Key Points:

  1. Incentive Structure:

    • The GH¢2,000 reward will be shared between informants and security personnel.
    • Farmers are encouraged to collaborate with law enforcement to curb smuggling.
  2. Farmer Education:

    • At forums across the Eastern Region, over 3,000 cocoa farmers received training on best practices, including fertilization, pruning, and hand pollination, to boost productivity.
    • Farmers were advised against harmful practices like the use of banned weedicides.
  3. Economic Measures:

    • COCOBOD has shifted from syndicated loans to internal funding, saving $120 million in interest costs.
    • Producer prices of cocoa have risen significantly from GH¢475 in 2017 to GH¢3,100 in 2024.
  4. Commendation and Encouragement:

    • Officials praised cocoa farmers for their vital role in Ghana’s economy and encouraged them to sustain efforts for increased yield and profitability.

This initiative underscores COCOBOD’s commitment to sustaining Ghana’s cocoa industry through stakeholder collaboration and innovative funding strategies.