Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce intercept 100 bags at Old Akrade

The Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), in collaboration with national security, has successfully intercepted 100 bags of cocoa beans in an operation at Old Akrade in the Asuogyaman District.

The operation, which took place around midnight, led to the arrest of a driver and his mate who were attempting to smuggle the beans to Togo.

The cocoa was hidden under a load of chippings in a tipper truck with registration number GN-1773-24.

The arrest followed a tip-off that the suspects were using an alternate route to evade military and immigration officers stationed at toll booths on the Adomi Bridge.

A national security source revealed that the suspects likely planned to use a ferry at Senchi to cross the lake and proceed through Juapong to their destination.

The operation, described as decisive, is part of the ongoing efforts by authorities to curtail the growing problem of cocoa smuggling.

“The heavy security presence at key checkpoints made them resort to this alternate route, but our surveillance paid off,” the official said.

Ghana’s cocoa industry is currently grappling with significant challenges, including smuggling, climate change, and illegal mining.

Cocoa smuggling to neighboring countries like Ivory Coast and Togo has been particularly problematic due to the higher profitability of cocoa in those regions, driven by a more stable CFA franc and fewer regulations.

COCOBOD estimates that cocoa smuggling losses have tripled in the 2023/24 season, with the country losing 160,000 tons.