Uncategorized

Minority Demands Answers on COCOBOD’s GH¢3.4bn Office Expenditure

Story Highlights
  • Minority raises concerns about COCOBOD's management.
  • Cocoa production drops, but COCOBOD's expenditure rises to GH¢3.4 billion.
  • Auditor General cites high headquarters costs as reason for expenditure.
  • Minority questions COCOBOD's priorities, citing neglect of cocoa producers.

The Minority in Parliament has expressed concerns over the management of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), citing rising administrative expenditure amidst declining cocoa production. According to the Minority, cocoa production has dropped significantly over the last four years, reaching 655,000 tonnes in 2023.

Despite this decline, COCOBOD’s head office expenditure has surged to approximately GH¢3.4 billion in 2023, raising questions about the management of funds. The Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs Committee of Parliament, Eric Opoku, highlighted these concerns during an interaction with journalists in Accra.

Opoku emphasized that the Auditor General’s report to Parliament attributes the high expenditure to headquarters costs, sparking concerns about COCOBOD’s priorities. He noted that COCOBOD’s head office expenditure exceeds that of the entire Ministry of Agriculture, which stands at around GH¢2.7 billion.

Opoku questioned the rationale behind COCOBOD’s high office expenditure, especially when cocoa producers face challenges such as inadequate water supply, bad roads, and low producer prices. He emphasized that cocoa producers are the backbone of the industry, yet they receive minimal support while COCOBOD’s office expenditure soars.

Opoku’s comments suggest that COCOBOD’s management needs to re-evaluate its priorities and allocate resources more efficiently to support cocoa production and producers. The Minority’s concerns highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in COCOBOD’s management to ensure that funds are used effectively to benefit the cocoa industry and producers.

Related Articles