'If we collapse COCOBOD Today, Ghana's Economy Will be Better',Says IMANI VP

Accra,Ghana - A bold call has been made by Kofi Bentil, Vice-President of IMANI Africa, to collapse the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), citing its ineffectiveness in empowering farmers and contributing to the country's economy. According to Bentil, COCOBOD has become an expensive bureaucracy that drains resources meant for farmers, instead benefiting urban-based elites.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile, Bentil argued that scrapping COCOBOD would allow farmers to organize themselves more efficiently and retain greater value from their produce. "If we collapse COCOBOD today, Ghana's economy will be better, and farmers will be better. They can organize themselves," he stressed.

Bentil's assertion is based on the belief that COCOBOD's current structure enables urban-based elites to capture the benefits of cocoa revenue, leaving smallholder farmers impoverished. By abolishing COCOBOD, Bentil believes that farmers would be able to directly access markets and financing, thereby improving their livelihoods.

The call to dismantle COCOBOD reflects longstanding criticisms of the regulator's size, cost, and management practices. Over the years, concerns have mounted over COCOBOD's heavy administrative expenses, debt accumulation, and limited impact on farmer welfare.

While some advocate for reforming COCOBOD, Bentil insists that the institution has outlived its usefulness and should be dissolved. "The institution has outlived its usefulness," he maintained, adding that it no longer fulfills its original purpose.

Bentil's remarks have reignited debate about the future of Ghana's cocoa sector, which is currently facing production challenges and global price volatility. 

Source  - Lead News Online