Meet the New Ghana Cocoa Board: 11 Members Tasked with Reviving Ailing Cocoa Sector

Meet the New Ghana Cocoa Board: 11 Members Tasked with Reviving Ailing Cocoa Sector

Accra, Ghana – Top Knowledge TV

The Government of Ghana has officially inaugurated a new 11-member Board of Directors for the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) as part of its renewed efforts to resuscitate the nation's struggling cocoa sector. The board is led by Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, a seasoned administrator and former National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The cocoa industry—long considered a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy—has seen significant decline in recent years, with national output dropping from over one million metric tonnes to nearly 500,000 tonnes. The appointment of this new board signals government’s intent to reposition the industry for growth, sustainability, and profitability.

Composition of the New Board

The newly inaugurated board members include a blend of government officials, industry experts, and cocoa sector stakeholders:

• Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo – Chairman

• Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson – Minister of Finance

• Dr. Johnson Asiama – Governor, Bank of Ghana

• Ransford Anane Abbey – CEO, COCOBOD

• Alhaji Alhassan Kobina Ghansah – Parliamentarian

• Vincent Oppong Asamoah – Industry Stakeholder

• Samson Ahi – Deputy Minister, Ministry of Trade and Industry

• John Dumelo – Deputy Minister, Ministry of Food and Agriculture

• Alhaji Alhassan Bukari – President, Cocoa Farmers Association

• Nana Charles Owusu – Forestry Commission Representative

• Eric Turkson – Legal and Policy Advisor

A Sector in Urgent Need of Reform

At the inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance, Energy Minister John Jinapor, speaking on behalf of President John Mahama, highlighted the urgency of the board’s task. He cited widespread issues including declining productivity, cocoa swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD), poor remuneration for farmers, and lack of farm rejuvenation policies.

In his remarks, Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson called for an aggressive recovery strategy and disclosed plans to secure over 200,000 hectares of land for cocoa farming in the coming years. He also urged the board to prioritize intervention in the Western Region, which has been severely affected by cocoa diseases.

Strategic Vision

Newly appointed board chairman Dr. Ofosu Ampofo acknowledged the weight of responsibility placed on the board. He pledged to adopt a transformative approach built on three pillars: resetting operational strategies, retooling COCOBOD’s institutional capacity, and reimagining the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry.

“We have been called at a very critical moment in the history of the cocoa sector. Our goal is to restore confidence, productivity, and profitability, and to reposition COCOBOD as a global leader in cocoa excellence,” he said.

Looking Ahead

With cocoa remaining Ghana’s second-highest foreign exchange earner after gold, the performance of this new board will be closely watched by policymakers, investors, and farming communities alike. The board is expected to introduce innovative financing models, increase value addition, and strengthen transparency within the cocoa value chain.

Ghana currently ranks as the second-largest cocoa producer in the world, after Côte d'Ivoire, but faces strong competition, climate challenges, and rising input costs. The new board’s mandate will be instrumental in navigating these challenges and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector.