The Ghana Cocoa Board’s (Cocobod) anti-smuggling task force has intercepted three articulated trucks carrying 1,473 maxi bags of cocoa beans in the Bono Region suspected to be on its way out of the country illegally.

The operation, which took place on Saturday, January 11, 2025, was part of efforts to curb the increasing trend of cocoa smuggling, which officials describe as a threat to the nation’s economy.

The trucks, intercepted in Nkwanta and Dormaa Ahenkro, were reportedly attempting to smuggle the cocoa to neighbouring countries, possibly Togo or Burkina Faso. The perpetrators concealed the beans beneath lumber to evade detection.

At a briefing in Sunyani, Regional Administrator for Cocobod, Michael P.K. Asumanu detailed the operation. “Based on intelligence, we moved to the field and conducted surveillance for three days. We intercepted the first truck in Dormaa and subsequently brought it to Sunyani. The other two trucks were stopped in Nkwanta,” he explained.

Mr Asumanu revealed that the confiscated cocoa equates to over 2,000 standard 64-kilogramme bags. “This is a significant loss to the state. The perpetrators, whose identities remain unknown, must be considered nation wreckers. Cocoa is the backbone of Ghana’s economy, and anyone engaging in such illegal activities is acting selfishly and against the national interest,” he said.

Two of the truck drivers fled the scene at Dormaa Ahenkro, but the vehicles and their contents have been moved to the Sunyani Police Headquarters for further investigation.

Highlighting the economic impact, Mr Asumanu expressed concern over the increasing sophistication of smuggling operations.

“Some even use the sea to smuggle cocoa to countries like Togo and Benin. This trend undermines our economy, particularly the stability of the cedi, which benefits significantly from cocoa revenue,” he stated.

He called for stricter penalties for cocoa smugglers. “A minimum sentence of five years is not enough to deter these offenders. We need to consider confiscating the tools they use, such as trucks, and imposing harsher punishments. The judiciary must support us in this campaign. When cocoa thrives, Ghana benefits,” he added.

Mr Asumanu also encouraged the public to report suspicious activities, noting that there are rewards for those who provide valuable information.

“If you see something, say something. Together, we can protect this critical sector of our economy,” he urged.