Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has intensified its efforts to combat cocoa smuggling, particularly along the country’s borders with Togo. This move comes after a significant seizure of 1,115 gallons of cocoa beans at the Ave-Havi border, which were en route to Togo.

According to Charles Amenyaglo, Director of Special Services at COCOBOD, the organization is implementing innovative strategies to track and counter the activities of cocoa smugglers. “We’re working to identify all routes used by smugglers and block them,” Amenyaglo stated. “We’re also exploring ways to address price disparities in the cocoa sector, which is a major driver of smuggling.

To achieve this, COCOBOD has established a committee to investigate and address price disparities. In the meantime, the organization is conducting spot checks and thorough searches at access routes to identify and apprehend smugglers.

This crackdown on cocoa smuggling is crucial for Ghana’s economy, as the illicit trade undermines the local cocoa industry and deprives the country of vital export revenues. COCOBOD’s efforts are part of a broader initiative to safeguard Ghana’s cocoa sector and ensure its sustainability.