The Board Chairman of the Ghana COCOBOD, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has disclosed that the government has spent GHC 5.8 billion on agro inputs that would help the country record higher cocoa production.

He explained that, the government is supporting farmers with fertilizers, weedicides, spraying machines and machetes to assist them in increase the cocoa yields.

Mr Ampofo said this when he paid a working visit to the Bono region on Tuesday to raise awareness about the impact of cocoa smuggling on Ghana's production.

He mentioned that President John Dramani Mahama had tasked them to engage with traditional leaders (Nananom) about the issue of Cocoa Smuggling and how it's affecting the country's production.

Jake Kudjo Samahar, the director of special Duties at COCOBOD disclosed that Ghana lost $1.1 billion due to cocoa smuggling between 2022 and 2025, adding that COCOBOD is working with security agencies to curb smuggling and protect the cocoa industry.

Odeefour Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor II, Paramount Chief of the Sunyani Tradional Area supported the initiatives and suggested opening of More Cocoa processing factories to employ youth and deter them from illegal mining.

Sompaonline.con/Nana Agyemang Opambour