Ghana’s cocoa industry has long been concerned about cocoa smuggling since it deprives the government of revenue and makes it difficult to regulate the cocoa trade effectively.
In order to address this expanding problem, authorities must now put in place stricter border restrictions and surveillance procedures. While ensuring that cocoa farmers continue to profit from the higher producer price, the government is focused on reducing unlawful trade.
Although President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently announced a significant increase in the price of cocoa producers, some cocoa farmers in the Western North region of Ghana are reportedly on a smuggling rampage to take advantage of higher prices across the border.
On September 9, 2023, President Akufo-Addo announced a 63.6% rise in the farm gate price of cocoa beans for the 2023–2024 cocoa season, raising it from GH800 to GH1,308 per bag.
Despite the significant increase in the farm gate price of cocoa beans, Nana Kwaku Ntuah II, Chief of Esaase in the Western North Region, has raised his concerns over a rampant surge in cocoa smuggling to the Ivory Coast.
While the recent considerable increase in cocoa prices has been welcomed with wide arms, he revealed that it has also unintentionally led to unanticipated effects in the border regions.
“Despite the significant increase in cocoa producer price, farmers around the borders are smuggling the cocoa to Ivory Coast,” Nana Kwaku Ntuah II bemoaned.
Chief of Esaase made note of the fact that various border towns, including Dabiso, Ackaatiso, Oseikojokrom, Adabokrom in the Bia West and East districts, and Kwasuo in Suaman, have developed into hubs for this illegal traffic.
The chief ascribed the rise in smuggling to the alluring rates being offered for cocoa in Ivory Coast, where a bag of cocoa is currently going for GH 1,570.
Nana Kwaku Ntuah II mentioned that, “After raising our producer price to GH₵1,308, the current price in Ivory Coast stands at GH₵1,570. This price disparity has motivated those living near the borders to engage in cocoa smuggling to Ivory Coast.”
