The Corporate Affairs Director of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Sam Jerome Eqs, has dismissed rumours that the Board is claiming lands belonging to cocoa farmers.
Speaking during an engagement with cocoa farmers in Juaboso in the Western North Region on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, he described the allegations as untrue and urged farmers not to be misled by the rumours.
Mr Eqs explained that COCOBOD has no lawful authority to take ownership of private property belonging to individuals, stressing that the Board’s role is to protect cocoa farmers and their farms.
He said the engagement was organised to educate farmers on the new COCOBOD law and explain how it is expected to strengthen the cocoa sector and improve farmers’ welfare.
The Corporate Affairs Director also urged farmers to have confidence in the current management of COCOBOD, assuring them that measures were being implemented to safeguard their interests and promote the future of the cocoa industry.
He encouraged farmers to seek clarification from the appropriate authorities whenever they encountered information that raised concerns about their lands or cocoa farms.
The engagement forms part of efforts to improve communication between COCOBOD and cocoa farmers and to ensure that farmers understand the changes being introduced in the cocoa sector.
