The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has rolled out a revised reward initiative that grants one-third of the value of confiscated cocoa to informants and anti-smuggling operatives. The move forms part of renewed national efforts to curb the persistent menace of cocoa smuggling across Ghana’s borders.
The initiative is designed to encourage greater public participation in the fight against the illicit trade, which continues to drain government revenue and threaten the stability of the country’s cocoa sector. By offering a substantial share of the assessed value of seized cocoa, COCOBOD aims to motivate citizens to report smuggling activities, particularly in border communities and along key trafficking routes.
Officials say the updated incentive aligns with COCOBOD’s broader mission to protect and sustain Ghana’s cocoa industry, which supports millions of farmers and remains a cornerstone of the national economy.
Cocoa smuggling not only results in significant financial losses but also distorts market dynamics, undermines traceability, and deprives farmers, processors, and licensed buyers of fair earnings.
As the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, Ghana faces growing pressure to safeguard its premium beans amid increasing global demand and regional price disparities.
The newly introduced reward scheme underscores COCOBOD’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the cocoa value chain, enhancing transparency, and reinforcing national efforts to combat illegal cross-border trade.
