The simmering controversy over Ghana’s cocoa syndication reform has erupted into a full-blown political spat, as former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, launches a fierce rebuttal against former COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Joseph Boahen Aidoo.
At the heart of the dispute is the Akufo-Addo administration’s decision during its final years to cancel Ghana’s long-standing practice of using offshore syndicated loans to pre-finance cocoa purchases.
The bold move marked a major shift in the financing of Ghana’s most valuable export crop and has since become a politically charged issue, especially within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In a widely circulated publication, Mr. Aidoo accused Dr. Acheampong of “blatant intellectual plagiarism,” claiming that the former Minister is wrongfully taking credit for a policy he never supported.
The former COCOBOD CEO described the former Food and Agriculture minister’s conduct as “a shameful attempt to arrogate glory to himself for a policy he never believed in, opposed ferociously and even wished dead.”
But in a sharp and detailed rejoinder, the Communications Directorate of Dr. Bryan Acheampong has refuted the allegations, describing them as misleading, inconsistent and politically motivated.
According to the statement, Dr. Acheampong, while serving as Minister for Food and Agriculture under President Akufo-Addo, played a central role in both the conception and implementation of the no-syndication cocoa financing policy.
“As Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong formally presented to Cabinet memorandum recommending the cancellation of the syndicated cocoa loan to the President.
“This reform was executed under his watch, with his direct leadership in policy articulation, Cabinet engagement and national rollout,” the statement said.
The Directorate accused Mr. Boahen Aidoo of conveniently shifting narratives in a bid to protect his own legacy.
They challenged his claim of being the architect of the policy, asking why, if he had truly spearheaded the idea, he appeared unaware of its presentation to Cabinet or its eventual approval.
“Mr. Boahen Aidoo’s assertion that he is ‘now hearing’ that Dr. Bryan Acheampong clandestinely submitted the policy to Cabinet is a glaring contradiction. If he authored the policy, how could he be unaware of its official Cabinet submission? His contradiction undermines the credibility of his entire claim,” the statement added.
The team also pointed out that despite Mr Boahen Aidoo’s tenure as COCOBOD CEO spanning eight years — from 2017 to 2023 — he never initiated or implemented the cancellation of the syndicated loan model.
The policy was only adopted after Dr. Bryan Acheampong assumed the ministerial role in 2023.
“If Mr Aidoo truly believed in ending syndicated loans, why did he not act between 2017 and 2023? Why wait until Bryan became Minister before implementation took place? The timeline speaks for itself.”
The statement further asserted that the implementation of the new policy had led to tangible, historic outcomes, notably the sharp increase in the producer price of cocoa. Under Dr. Bryan Acheampong’s tenure as Minister, the cocoa producer price reportedly rose from GH¢800 in 2022 to GH¢3,100 in 2024, representing a 278% increase — the highest in recent history.
According to his team, this dramatic price adjustment was made possible through the financial flexibility achieved under the no-syndication policy model.
In addition, the Communications Directorate revealed that over $4 billion had been secured in deposits from international cocoa buyers under the new financing framework, further demonstrating its success and viability.
Beyond the policy specifics, the statement addressed broader issues of governance and credit attribution.
It explained that in Ghana’s political and administrative structure, it is ministers – not agency heads like the CEO of COCOBOD – who hold the constitutional mandate to develop, propose and implement policy.
“This is not just convention; it is constitutional. Ministers are political heads of their respective sectors. The role of implementing agencies is to execute ministerial directives, not set national policy,” the statement said.
“Just as Free SHS is attributed to the Minister of Education and One District One Factory to the Minister of Trade, so too should the cocoa syndication reform be credited to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, under whose tenure the reform was executed,” the statement added.
According to the statement, the ultimate responsibility for all major policies rest with the President, who sets the agenda and authorises ministerial execution through Cabinet.
According to them, Dr. Bryan Acheampong simply carried out the vision of the President by implementing a bold and transformative reform during his ministerial tenure.
“The success of this policy is not about individual ego or legacy; it is about national progress. However, credit must be accurately assigned. Bryan did not oppose the policy — he led its execution.”
In a more direct challenge, Bryan’s team asked why COCOBOD had continued to rely on syndicated loans throughout Aidoo’s eight-year leadership if he had always supported a no-syndication approach.
The Directorate argued that the implementation happened under Bryan’s leadership for a reason, it was he who had the political courage and executive clarity to make the bold change.
Though the tone of the statement was firm, it ended with a call for unity, urging members of the NPP and the wider Ghanaian public to focus on collective achievements rather than internal disputes.
“As we look ahead, it is vital that we focus on what unites us as a party and as a nation. The cocoa syndication reform is a landmark achievement of the Akufo-Addo administration – a victory not just for Bryan Acheampong, but for Ghanaian cocoa farmers and the country as a whole.”
The public disagreement, however, appears to reflect deeper undercurrents within the ruling party as potential contenders prepare for future leadership contests.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong is widely seen as a serious aspirant for the NPP’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2026 elections, and the debate over credit for major reforms like the cocoa financing policy could shape the political narrative in the months to come.
As the cocoa sector celebrates financial independence and improved earnings for farmers, the political battle over who made it possible seems far from over.
