The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has addressed recent media reports that implied its Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, accused the Russian government of being responsible for cocoa smuggling activities.
In a statement, COCOBOD made it clear that at no point did CEO Joseph Boahen Aidoo blame the Russian government for cocoa smuggling.
The statement explained that the CEO instead expressed concerns about local individuals in Ghana who are involved in smuggling cocoa to foreign nationals, including some Russians residing in neighboring countries.
COCOBOD emphasized that this clarification is essential to avoid unnecessary diplomatic tensions caused by inaccurate reports.
The organization called on media outlets to exercise greater caution when reporting on matters with potential international implications.
It also reassured the public of its continued efforts, in collaboration with both local and international partners, to combat cocoa smuggling and safeguard the industry.
