The Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has attributed the current financial challenges facing the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to the awarding of cocoa road contracts valued at GH¢23 billion during the 2023/2024 fiscal year.

He explained that the sheer magnitude of the contracts compelled COCOBOD to channel significant funds into procuring construction materials, which adversely affected the institution’s financial standing.

Mr. Agbodza made the remarks in Parliament on Wednesday while responding to questions on the government’s value-for-money analysis and the status of the cocoa roads programme.

The Minister noted that the suspension of cocoa road projects in 2017 had adversely affected cocoa-growing communities, resulting in deteriorating road networks, halted contracts, disruptions to the cocoa value chain, and hardships for farmers.

“In view of these challenges, the government has ceded all cocoa road projects to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, particularly the Urban and Feeder Roads Departments,” he stated.

There were 266 cocoa road contracts awarded, stressing the need for a comprehensive review of the programme to ensure efficiency and sustainability, Mr Agbodza stated.