Published: March 4, 2026
Ghana's former leadership at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is under formal criminal investigation following their failure to address significant audit queries related to procurement and financial management during their tenure.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the previous administration, which was headed by former CEO Joseph Boahen Aidoo and exited office in January 2025, left the state agency with liabilities totaling GH¢32.91 billion. The officials are accused of refusing to respond to a series of questions raised by the Audit Service regarding their management of the board's accounts.
The unresolved audit queries have now been escalated. The current management of COCOBOD, led by CEO Dr. Randy Abbey, has formally referred several alleged infractions to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for further investigation and potential criminal prosecution.
Focus on Procurement and Rejected Farm Items
Central to the investigation are procurement contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars awarded during Mr. Aidoo's time in office. These contracts covered a wide range of farm inputs meant for cocoa farmers, including slashers, pruners, jute sacks, insecticides, fertilizers, solar lanterns, and Wellington boots, which were reportedly intended for free distribution.
However, sources indicate that a lack of proper due diligence meant many of these items were unsuitable. Reports suggest a significant number of the slashers and pruners were rejected by farmers, who preferred their traditional cutlasses, raising questions about the value derived from the massive expenditure.
The audit also scrutinized deals awarded to specific contractors, including Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyapong, the founder of the Jospong Group. Dr. Agyapong's business links have drawn attention as he is the former employer of the current COCOBOD CEO, Dr. Abbey.
Former CEO Returns Vehicle Amidst BNI Pressure
In a related development, Mr. Aidoo has reportedly returned an official COCOBOD vehicle that remained in his possession for 14 months after he left office. The 2018 BMW 7 Series was quietly returned to the COCOBOD headquarters in Accra at dawn on Friday, February 27, 2026.
It is understood the vehicle was handed over by a former bodyguard only after Mr. Aidoo was informed that the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) had been alerted to the issing vehicle.
While Mr. Aidoo has claimed he followed proper procedure by writing to the Human Resource Directorate to express his intention to purchase the vehicle—a policy available to senior officers—investigations by the Daily Post newspaper suggest otherwise. Sources within COCOBOD confirm that no such letter requesting to buy the car was ever received or recorded by the Human Resource Directorate, and the matter was never brought before the board for approval before the vehicle was taken.
The escalation of the audit queries to EOCO marks a significant step in holding the previous management accountable for the substantial debt and procurement practices that have come under scrutiny since the new administration took over.
