Renowned business executive, Dr. Kofi Koduah Sarpong has criticised the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for deviating from its core mandate.

For him, the institution should not be engaged in road construction.

He said this while speaking on behalf of the Structural and Policy Reform Committee at the National Economic Dialogue on Tuesday, March 4.

Dr. Sarpong highlighted inefficiencies within state institutions, drawing parallels between COCOBOD and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

“COCOBOD is also not focused on its core business and has inefficient procurement practices just like ECG. To the government, we suggest the following. We should have a holistic and coordinated plan to stop galamsey and improve cocoa and food production as well. This is a major issue for the government to deal with.

He raised concerns about procurement practices and operational inefficiencies affecting both entities.

Addressing COCOBOD specifically, he emphasized that the organization should focus exclusively on cocoa trading rather than diverting resources into road infrastructure projects.

“COCOBOD should focus on its core business of buying and selling cocoa. In effect, it has no business in doing roads. We think that it must stop. The Department of Feeder Roads is there, and arrangements can be made for them to look at Cocoa Roads.