The Minority in Parliament has accused the Acting Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Ato Boateng, of allegedly diverting funds to a private company, Atlas Commodities Limited, to the detriment of the Produce Buying Company (PBC).
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Monday, February 23, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, claimed there were “clear conflict-of-interest concerns” surrounding Mr Boateng that were negatively affecting PBC’s operations.
According to the Minority, COCOBOD has been withholding financial support from PBC while Mr Boateng allegedly facilitates assistance to Atlas Commodities to sustain its activities. Mr Assafuah said publicly available records indicate that Mr Boateng previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Commodities Limited in 2018.
He told the media he possessed documentation from the Registrar General’s Department detailing the ownership and directorship structure of the company, adding that the documents had also been shared publicly.
Mr Assafuah argued that Mr Boateng now holds one of the most influential financial and administrative positions within COCOBOD — an institution mandated by law to regulate cocoa buying companies — raising concerns about potential conflicts.
Citing provisions of the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, the MP stressed that COCOBOD’s role is regulatory rather than commercial.
“As a regulator, you cannot be a referee and be a player at the same time. You cannot be a regulator and be a competitor at the same time,” he said.
He also referenced Article 284 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which prohibits public officials from placing themselves in situations where personal interests conflict, or are likely to conflict, with official duties. According to him, the constitutional threshold does not require proof of wrongdoing before concerns can be legitimately raised.
Mr Assafuah further warned that the alleged situation could have implications for cocoa farmers and the broader economy.
“Cocoa farmers are sacrificing daily to sustain the economy. Regulatory leadership must not create even the appearance of benefiting from the same system they supervise,” he said.
The Minority is therefore demanding what it describes as urgent action, including a full criminal investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, a constitutional determination on conflict of interest, and a forensic audit of warehouse registrations and cocoa movement records.
The group is also seeking full disclosure from COCOBOD, National Security and other relevant agencies, with appropriate legal action to follow should any wrongdoing be established.
“If there is no wrongdoing, investigation will clear the air. But if wrongdoing is confirmed, accountability must follow,” Mr Assafuah stated.
