Explosive Clash Over Cocoa Prices: Agric Ministry Denounces COCOBOD’s April 8 Letter as Fake; Opoku Gyamfi Defends Its Authenticity
Tensions within COCOBOD raise questions about the authority and transparency behind cocoa price decisions as key figures clash.
- Disagreement over two conflicting letters
- A leaked document from COCOBOD sparks public debate
- Stakeholders, including cocoa farmers and buyers, are left in limbo
Apraku Lartey, Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Clement Opoku Gyamfi, former Amansie South DCE and former COCOBOD Principal HR, have engaged in a heated debate on the Ghana Se Sen show on Lawson TV/Radio concerning two conflicting letters from COCOBOD.
The first, dated April 8, 2025, and signed by Dr. James Kofi Kutoati, Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Operations, states that the cocoa producer price will remain unchanged for the 2025/2026 season, despite Côte d’Ivoire’s price hike. The second letter, dated April 9, 2025, urges the public to disregard any news or statements regarding an announcement or decision on cocoa producer prices.
In the discussion, Mr. Lartey clarified that the letter dated April 8, 2025, signed by Dr. Kutoati, is not from COCOBOD and should be considered fake.
He emphasized that the committee responsible for announcing any cocoa price increase has not yet been formed, and COCOBOD cannot announce a new producer price until this committee, as well as the body that holds COCOBOD accountable, are established.
He strongly urged the public to trust the letter dated April 9, 2025, as the official communication.
However, Clement Opoku Gyamfi argued that the letter dated April 8 was not intended for public consumption, but rather was a leaked internal document.
He explained that cocoa prices are typically reviewed in October, with the new price announced on October 1, and any changes are applied during the light crop season.
Opoku Gyamfi further stated that the Licensed Cocoa Buyers’ Association of Ghana (LICOBAG) had requested an increase in cocoa producer prices, but COCOBOD had initially declined.
He suggested that the release of the second letter was an attempt to deny the contents of the first, while maintaining that the April 8 document is not fake.
Opoku Gyamfi called for an apology, asserting that the letter was intended for the Executive Secretary, and the press release was intended for the media.
Mr. Lartey responded, maintaining that the April 8 letter is fake, but also acknowledged that it could have been meant for the Executive Secretary.
He reiterated that the letter referenced a review of the cocoa price, but emphasized that such approval cannot occur without the establishment of the Producer Price Review Committee.
Lartey concluded that there is no issue with the second letter, which he believes should be regarded as the official statement.
In his final remarks, Opoku Gyamfi mocked COCOBOD’s attempt at damage control, suggesting that the organization was now fabricating a case when there was none.
He stood firm in his belief that the April 8 letter is authentic, originated from the correct source, and was sanctioned by Dr. James Kofi Kutoati.
