COCOBOD clarifies misinterpretation on cocoa importation

Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), in a statement has clarified that all cocoa processing companies established in Ghana after November 2001, have legal permission to import cocoa beans for processing within the country.

This statement was in response to a misinterpretation of an official letter sent to Afrotropic Cocoa Processing Company Limited, which has been widely circulated on social media.

COCOBOD is urging the public to disregard the false claim that originated from the leaked letter and to refrain from giving any credibility to the misinformation.

The statement emphasized that the importation of cocoa beans by processing companies is a lawful practice that enables them to meet their desired chocolate production and other requirements.

In addition, the statement highlighted that Ghana’s cocoa is of premium quality, and blending it with cocoa beans from other producing countries is common industry practice that has been in place for over 20 years. This allows factories to import cocoa beans from countries such as Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria, and Ecuador as part of their cost management and operational strategies.

Full statement below –