The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with security agencies and stakeholders to tackle the growing menace of cocoa smuggling in the region.

He gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the Hohoe, the Regional Office of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), led by Frank Amoah-Frimpong, Regional Administrator, who appealed for urgent government intervention to curb the illicit trade.

Mr. Gunu, who also chairs the Volta Regional Security Council (REGSEC), pledged that decisive measures would be rolled out to protect cocoa farmers and safeguard the national interest.

“REGSEC, in close collaboration with COCOBOD and our security agencies, will intensify surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering, and ensure that offenders are brought to justice. Cocoa is a national asset, and its smuggling undermines both our farmers and our economy. This is a fight we must win together,” he said.

He recalled his earlier experience as District Chief Executive of Akatsi North, when he and his security team intercepted over 100 bags of smuggled cocoa at Ave Dakpa.

“Unfortunately, smugglers are now using more sophisticated methods, which makes collaboration among all stakeholders even more critical,” he noted.

The Minister described cocoa smuggling as a dual threat—robbing farmers of fair prices while depriving the country of vital foreign exchange earnings.

He emphasised that tackling the problem required not only enforcement but also sustainable solutions that would secure the future of the cocoa industry in the Volta Region and Ghana as a whole.

In this regard, Mr. Gunu welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge to establish a cocoa processing factory in the Volta Region as part of a broader industrialisation drive.

“Such an initiative will add value to cocoa, create jobs for our youth, and serve as a lasting solution to this smuggling challenge. We must work together to protect our farmers and make the Volta Region a model of responsible cocoa production and processing,” he stressed.

The delegation from COCOBOD expressed appreciation for the Minister’s assurance and reiterated the need for tighter border control measures, stronger community sensitisation, and incentives to encourage farmers to sell their produce through approved channels.