The Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana (LICOBAG) has issued a strong warning over what it describes as growing and “excessive” political interference in the operations of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), cautioning that the trend could undermine efficiency, transparency and confidence in the country’s cocoa sector.
According to the association, persistent political influence in key decision-making processes at COCOBOD is distorting operational priorities and weakening the autonomy of the institution mandated to regulate and promote Ghana’s cocoa industry. LICOBAG argues that such interference risks eroding the gains made over decades in sustaining Ghana’s position as one of the world’s leading cocoa producers.
In a statement, the association noted that COCOBOD’s strength has historically been rooted in professionalism, technical expertise and relatively insulated governance structures. However, it warned that increasing political involvement in administrative and operational matters threatens to compromise these principles, with ripple effects across the cocoa value chain.
Licensed cocoa buyers expressed concern that undue political pressure could affect pricing decisions, licensing processes and the timely release of funds, ultimately impacting farmers, exporters and other industry stakeholders. They stressed that cocoa farmers, in particular, stand to suffer if institutional decisions are driven by political considerations rather than sound economic and agronomic data.
LICOBAG called on government and political actors to respect the operational independence of COCOBOD and allow industry professionals to carry out their mandates without interference. The association urged a recommitment to good corporate governance, transparency and accountability to safeguard the long-term sustainability of the cocoa sector.
The warning comes amid broader debates about governance and reform within state-owned institutions, as stakeholders increasingly push for depoliticisation to improve performance and restore public confidence. For LICOBAG, protecting COCOBOD from excessive political influence is not just an institutional issue, but a national economic priority tied directly to livelihoods, foreign exchange earnings and Ghana’s global reputation in cocoa production.
