Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Nii Moi Thompson, has called for a critical reassessment of the relevance of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), arguing that the institution may have outlived its usefulness in the country’s economy.
Speaking at a lecture on infrastructure and development planning during the Ishmael Yamson & Associates Business Roundtable 2026, Dr Thompson said cocoa no longer occupies the central role it once held in Ghana’s economy, making it necessary to rethink the current structure used to manage the sector.
According to him, cocoa contributed nearly 80 per cent of the Gold Coast economy in the 1920s and approximately 60 per cent by 1951, but now accounts for less than two per cent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Why then do we need a bureaucratic behemoth to superintend the sector?” he questioned.
Dr Thompson argued that despite decades of state control, COCOBOD has not significantly improved productivity within the cocoa sector, with output levels remaining below potential and lower than those of some competing cocoa-producing countries.
The NDPC Chairman also criticised what he described as excessive bureaucracy and misplaced priorities within the institution.
He referenced reports of a COCOBOD guest house in London while many cocoa farmers in Ghana continue to struggle with poverty and poor living conditions.
“Food crop farmers remain the poorest socio-economic group in the country, followed ironically by cash crop farmers,” he stated.
Dr Thompson further questioned the relevance of the annual National Farmers Day celebration, arguing that the programme has failed to substantially improve the welfare of farmers or reduce Ghana’s growing food import bill despite years of recognition ceremonies and awards.
“I understand we couldn’t even pay the money for a prize winner,” he said, adding that he supports calls for the programme to be abolished.
According to him, Ghana must implement reforms aimed at improving productivity and ensuring that national resources are allocated more efficiently to sectors capable of driving economic transformation and improving livelihoods.
