The Ghana Cocoa Board has denied that its CEO ever blamed the Russian government for the smuggling of cocoa from Ghana to neighbouring countries.

This follows widespread media reports to that effect.

In a statement clarifying Joseph Boahen Aidoo’s recent comment in the Ashanti Region, COCOBOD said: “We wish to clarify that the chief executive did not, at any point, attribute the ongoing cocoa smuggling activities to the Russian government.”

Rather, the Board said its CEO “expressed worry about miscreants in Ghana smuggling cocoa to certain foreign individuals, including Russians, who are based in neighbouring countries.”

“This clarification is crucial as the misreporting has the potential to create unnecessary diplomatic tension, which is uncalled for,” COCOBOD added.

Smuggling is one of the key factors affecting cocoa production in Ghana.

In July this year, for example, COCOBOD’s Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, seized 400 bags of smuggled cocoa beans across several key locations.

The taskforce, whose intensive efforts have recently led to several arrests and incarcerations, executed the latest operations in Atebubu, Adomi Bridge on the Atimpoku Highway, and Sogakope in the Volta Region, resulting in the arrests.

The operations, carried out between July 1 and 13, were based on tip-offs and involved various vehicles, including trailer trucks and saloon cars that were being used to transport the cocoa to neighbouring Togo.

During a media briefing, Charles Amenyaglo, Director of Special Services and Head of the Anti-Smuggling Taskforce at COCOBOD, provided details on the operations, as follows: On Monday, July 1, the Taskforce intercepted two trucks near Atebubu-Amantin, uncovering 160 bags of smuggled cocoa beans destined for Togo via Dambai in the Oti Region.

Then on the dawn of Thursday, July 11, a team on patrol around Sogakope intercepted three vehicles—a Land Cruiser Prado and two Toyota Corolla saloon cars—carrying a total of 20 bags of smuggled cocoa beans concealed in fertilizer bags.

The latest operation on July 13 saw Taskforce members stationed at the Adomi Bridge intercept a trailer carrying two containers.

They recovered 218 bags of smuggled cocoa beans packed in one of the containers.

Amenyaglo confirmed that all vehicles involved have been impounded and the suspects are currently in custody at the Atebubu and Sogakope Police Stations, assisting with investigations.

The crackdown on cocoa smuggling remains a top priority for the Taskforce, as the illicit trade undermines the local cocoa industry and poses a significant threat to the economy by depriving the country of crucial export revenues.