The Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has praised the accomplishments of the Akufo-Addo government in the cocoa sector, countering criticism from the minority in Parliament.

Fiifi Boafo in an interview on Citi TV defended the government against accusations of shortchanging cocoa farmers, citing a 58% increase in the producer price for cocoa.

He emphasised that, except for 2023, Ghanaian cocoa farmers have consistently received higher payments than those in Ivory Coast for the past seven years.

Boafo dismissed claims of exploitation, asserting that Ghanaian cocoa farmers receive $47 more than their Ivorian counterparts, challenging the narrative of government cheating farmers.

Addressing criticism of replicating the Ivorian model, Boafo defended the government’s approach, stating that adopting successful strategies should not be misconstrued as wrongdoing.

He stated, “Last year [2023] due to the exchange rate, the Ivorians’ price got better than Ghana’s. But the government in the last 7 years, with the exception of last year [2023] has paid better price to cocoa farmers as compared to the Ivorian counterparts.”

Regarding lower production levels in Ghana compared to Ivory Coast, Boafo attributed this to factors such as the treatment of infested farms, swollen shoot disease, and adverse weather conditions, emphasising their necessity for long-term sustainability in cocoa production.

Boafo also addressed allegations of cocoa smuggling, clarifying that the major smuggling point is at the Togo border, not the Ivory Coast.