COCOBOD Pushes for 10-Year Jail Term, Special Tribunal to Fight Cocoa Smuggling

The Ghana Cocoa Board is backing tougher penalties for cocoa smuggling, including a proposed 10-year prison sentence and fines of up to 200,000 penalty units.

Deputy Director of Research at COCOBOD, Eric Amengor, outlined the proposal on Tuesday, May 26, during a multi-stakeholder engagement on the EU Deforestation Regulation held in Accra. He said the measures are part of a new Cocoa Board bill now before Cabinet.

“Yes, there is a new Cocoa Board law. We are reviewing our laws and making it very punitive for anyone who attempts to smuggle cocoa in or out of Ghana. We have proposed a 10-year jail term and 200,000 penalty units or both,” Mr. Amengor explained.

The bill also recommends setting up a dedicated cocoa tribunal to fast-track cases. “We also intend to propose a cocoa tribunal to ensure that cocoa cases are dealt with as quickly as possible,” he added.

Mr. Amengor disclosed that COCOBOD is moving away from the traditional syndicated loan for cocoa purchases. The Board is in talks with the Ministry of Finance and local banks to raise funds domestically for the 2026/2027 crop season.

“Instead of going for the syndicated loan, we are in talks with the Ministry of Finance and the banks. This 2026/2027 season, we intend to borrow locally to support cocoa purchases,” he said.

The proposed legal reforms aim to tighten enforcement and protect Ghana’s cocoa industry, which continues to face losses from cross-border smuggling.