Captain Smart Calls for Reshuffle at Cocobod, Rubbishes Alleged Influence of Lordina Mahama
- Captain Smart has called for a major reshuffle at the Ghana Cocoa Board amid struggles with paying farmers in the sector
- The broadcaster also criticised the alleged concerns over the influence of First Lady Lordina Mahama at the cocoa board
- Captain Smart also warned against the misuse of the First Lady's name for political gain amid speculation on the matter
Broadcaster with Onua TV, Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly referred to as Captain Smart, has called for major changes at the Ghana Cocoa Board.
Amid recent turbulence in the sector, and without naming any officials, Captain Smart said that a reshuffle was necessary at the controversial state agency.
Source: Facebook
In a clip on TikTok, while speaking on his morning show on February 10, he lamented the concerns of farmers who are demanding payment for their cocoa.
He also addressed suggestions that influence from the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, may have rendered the Ghana Cocoa Board CEO, Randy Abbey, untouchable.
Captain Smart claimed some National Democratic Congress (NDC) associates were bandying about the First Lady's name to court favour and influence.
"Ghana is not for the first lady... The way people are using the First Lady’s name is scary."
What is happening in Ghana's Cocoa Sector?
Reuters reported that some of Ghana's farmers have not been paid, and investments in the next harvest are at risk as international traders refuse to pay the upfront sums to the Cocobod.
The revamped system, introduced for the 2024/25 season, shifted the burden of pre-financing purchases from the country's cocoa board to international traders.
Under the previous system that had been in place for three decades, the government raised funds annually via syndicated loans and disbursed them to the licensed buying companies, which in turn bought beans from farmers and delivered them to the regulator for onward sale to the international markets.
Source: Getty Images
Abbey has admitted that delays in paying farmers stem from the collapse of a syndicated loan that financed cocoa purchases over the last 32 years.
The president of the Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association, Samuel Adimado, disclosed to Joy News that Licensed Buying Companies had not received payments from Cocobod for two consecutive seasons, with arrears estimated at $185 million.
He also noted that cocoa from Ghana had become relatively expensive compared to cocoa from other countries, which had has resulted in international buyers sourcing from other countries.
Mahama petitioned to sack Randy Abbey
Meanwhile, Listowell Nana Kusi-Poku, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporter, petitioned President John Mahama to sack Abbey as CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board.
In the petition dated February 9, 2026, Kusi-Poku, who is also the Executive Director of Good Governance Advocacy Group Ghana, said removing the CEO would safeguard the country's cocoa sector.
He further tabled several allegations against Abbey, describing him as incompetent.
"...Dr Randy Abbey's COCOBOD management has been characterised by poor leadership choices, incompetence, arrogance, intimidation tactics, misaligned and/or misplaced priorities, financial mismanagement, questionable renovations, resistance to change, undermining initiatives, and blocking operational improvements, to say the least."
Cameroonian farmer advises Ghanaian cocoa farmers
YEN.com.gh also previously reported that a cocoa farmer from Cameroon had advised industry colleagues in Ghana to desist from selling their farmlands or converting them for illegal mining.
The man, known as Celebrity Farmer, shared his testimony, recounting how his peers in his country had lamented not being adequately compensated for produce until the sector bounced back.
Source: YEN.com.gh
