The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has dismissed claims by one of its former Heads of Public Affairs, Fiifi Boafo, who reportedly stated that ten of its directors have been asked to stay home while receiving full salaries.
In a rejoinder issued on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, the Board described the reports as “misleading” and insisted that no such directive has been given.
“Management wishes to state emphatically that no Director has been asked to stay home and draw salary,” the statement said.
COCOBOD further clarified that, apart from the former Director of Finance, who had not gone on leave for eight years, no director of the institution is currently on leave.
“No Director is on leave except for the former Director of Finance, who for eight years had not gone on leave,” management explained.
Addressing suggestions that the development signalled a shake-up, the Board noted that routine “Transfers and reassignments are part of strategic realignment to bring efficiency and effectiveness into the operations of the Board.”
COCOBOD urged the public to disregard the media reports and assured stakeholders of its commitment to strengthening operational effectiveness across the cocoa sector.
Background
It will be recalled that Fiifi Boafo accused the current management of COCOBOD of sidelining more than ten experienced directors at the state agency.
In an interview on Accra-based Citi FM, Fiifi Boafo argued that the sidelining of these long-serving professionals amounts to an inefficient use of public resources. He described the practice as a financial burden and a waste of institutional knowledge, stressing that the directors were being rendered “almost useless” through no fault of their own.
Boafo further questioned the rationale behind sidelining career staff because of a change in government, warning that such actions weaken COCOBOD’s effectiveness at a time when the cocoa sector faces serious challenges. He estimated that the number of affected directors is “more than ten.”
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
