Cocoa farmers across Ghana have described the appointment of Dr. Randy Abbey as Acting CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) as unconventional but potentially transformative for the struggling cocoa sector.
The cocoa industry faces several challenges, including declining production, smuggling, and pricing concerns, which require decisive leadership and innovative solutions.
Speaking to Citi Business News, Obed Owusu-Addai, co-convener of the Ghana Civil Society Cocoa Platform and co-founder of EcoCare Ghana, expressed cautious optimism about Dr. Abbey’s leadership.
“Sometimes, an outsider brings a certain fresh perspective that is needed to drive change, and the truth is that the cocoa sector needs change,” Owusu-Addai remarked. He urged the new CEO to adopt a collaborative and listening approach to address the sector’s issues effectively.
The farmers called on Dr. Abbey to:
- Collaborate with Stakeholders: Build strong partnerships with farmers and industry stakeholders.
- Address Key Issues: Tackle rising administrative costs at COCOBOD, low production, and rampant smuggling.
- Foster Confidence: Restore trust and efficiency in the operations of the cocoa sector.
The farmers also urged the newly appointed Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, to implement immediate reforms to streamline COCOBOD’s operations and ensure the sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa industry.