The Jasikanhene and Adontehene of the Buem Traditional Area, Nana Edje Tete Kpase Brantuo VII, has called on the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to reconsider plans to involve police officers in efforts to curb cocoa smuggling.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by COCOBOD Board Chairman, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, as part of his working tour of the Volta and Oti regions, Nana Brantuo VII expressed concern that deploying police personnel could strain relations between local farmers and state authorities.
“Our people understand the importance of safeguarding Ghana’s cocoa,” the chief stated. “However, I urge you not to include police officers in this fight. Many of them are complicit in the smuggling of cocoa from our communities to Togo. If we truly want to end cocoa smuggling in Jasikan and its surroundings, we should rely on community cooperation, education, and traditional leadership rather than police enforcement.”
He emphasized that community-based approaches are more effective for curbing smuggling while preserving trust between farmers and government institutions.
The chief also highlighted several pressing challenges facing cocoa farmers in the Jasikan area, urging COCOBOD to address the following:
Recognition of local production: Cocoa from the Oti Region is recorded under Hohoe in the Volta Region, denying Oti proper recognition for its actual production levels.
Administrative re-designation: Eastern Buem should be officially integrated into the Jasikan cocoa district to reflect its contribution to national output.
Poor access roads: Inadequate road networks hinder farmers from transporting produce to buying centers.
Inadequate buying centers: Establishing more centers in remote areas would reduce transport costs and ease the burden on farmers.
Nana Brantuo VII added that Jasikan’s traditional council has already initiated community sensitization programs to educate farmers about the economic and reputational impact of smuggling. He encouraged COCOBOD to prioritize farmer welfare, local monitoring, and public education instead of relying heavily on law enforcement.
In response, Dr. Ofosu Ampofo commended the Jasikanhene for his proactive leadership and assured him of COCOBOD’s commitment to collaborate closely with traditional authorities across cocoa-growing regions. He reiterated that the Board’s anti-smuggling measures aim to protect farmers’ livelihoods and preserve the integrity of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
As Ghana intensifies efforts to curb cross-border cocoa smuggling, particularly in the Oti, Western North, and Bono regions, cooperation among traditional leaders, farmers, and government agencies remains vital to maintaining the country’s global reputation for producing premium-quality cocoa.ration among traditional leaders, farmers, and government agencies remains crucial to maintaining the country’s global reputation for producing premium-quality cocoa.
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