Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor has described alleged mismanagement at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) under the previous administration as “crimes against humanity” and endorsed calls for the prosecution of those responsible.

Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness at the Office of the President, made the remarks in an interview with JoyNews’ Gemma Appiah after engaging cocoa farmers in the Western Region, many of whom have not been paid since November 2025.

“I agree with the Chief who said that they must be prosecuted,” Dr Otokunor said. “Indeed, such levels of crime are crimes against humanity and must not be left to stand.”

His statement underscores the depth of frustration among farming communities over delayed payments and alleged financial mismanagement at COCOBOD.

The anger has been mounting for weeks. The Alliance for Western North Farmers has gone further than demanding an inquiry, calling for the outright arrest and prosecution of officials it claims mismanaged public funds under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

Dr Otokunor’s field visits revealed the crisis's immediate human impact.

On February 6, 2026, COCOBOD CEO Dr Randy Abbey acknowledged that farmers deserved an apology, confirming that thousands had experienced payment delays since November 2025.

Dr Otokunor said the Attorney General’s office is already investigating COCOBOD, following a directive from Cabinet on February 12, 2026. The mandate covers the Board’s activities over the past eight years and runs alongside a forensic audit of its finances and operations.

When asked if he could definitively say that the previous administration mismanaged COCOBOD, Dr. Otokunor was unequivocal: “Oh yes.”