Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce Seizes 100 Bags of Cocoa in Old Akrade

The Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), working alongside national security, intercepted a tipper truck attempting to smuggle 100 bags of cocoa beans in Old Akrade, located in the Asuogyaman District. The truck, with registration number GN-1773-24, was carrying cocoa concealed under a load of chippings, reportedly intended for smuggling to Togo.

The taskforce, acting on a midnight tip-off, conducted surveillance and successfully thwarted the smuggling attempt. Authorities believe the suspects used a ferry to avoid the heavily secured Adomi Bridge, intending to transport the beans through Juapong.

Ghana’s cocoa industry faces increasing challenges from smuggling, driven by the more profitable cocoa markets in Ivory Coast and Togo. The taskforce revealed that cocoa losses due to smuggling have tripled in the 2023/24 season, with an estimated 160,000 tons lost. However, the taskforce has intercepted approximately 250 tons, a marked increase from the 17 tons intercepted in 2022/23.

This operation highlights the ongoing commitment to protecting Ghana’s cocoa sector from illegal trading activities.