The Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Robert Aidoo, has called for urgent depoliticization and comprehensive reforms in Ghana’s cocoa industry.

Prof Aidoo warns that continued political interference and inefficiencies threaten the livelihoods of thousands of cocoa farmers.

His comments come in the wake of a financial crisis within the cocoa sector, raising concerns over the sustainability and profitability of the industry that forms the backbone of the nation’s economy.

Speaking on Luv FM, Professor Aidoo highlighted that excessive politicization has resulted in an oversized workforce within the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), draining crucial resources from the sector.

“If you went into COCOBOD to look at their workforce, you would see that there are so many people in there and they are all feeding on cocoa,” he said, emphasizing that this reduces the funds available to the government and hampers industry growth.

He urged the government to demonstrate the political will necessary to streamline COCOBOD’s operations and reduce its workforce, arguing that this would lead to greater efficiency and free up funds for industry development.

“We need to find a way to depoliticize cocoa production and what happens in Ghana COCOBOD,” Professor Aidoo stated.

The economist also criticized the current share of the Free on Board (FOB) price allocated to farmers, which he estimated at 70 to 75 percent, describing it as insufficient.

“If you pay the farmer well, the farmer can procure his own input, produce more cocoa, and Ghana will be able to export and earn more revenue,” he explained.

He advocated for increasing the farmers’ share to at least 85 percent of the FOB price, coupled with reforms to ensure COCOBOD operates more efficiently.

Professor Aidoo further called for a review of the cocoa trade model to allow private sector participation in purchasing cocoa beans.

He argues that increased competition would benefit farmers and give them greater control over their produce.

“They need to open up the space so private exporters come in. That way, while state agencies are buying, private firms are also buying. By this, the farmer benefits and can have more control over their beans,” he said