The presidential campaign team of Dr. Bryan Acheampong has issued a strong rebuttal to recent comments by former COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, over the government’s cocoa syndication reforms — a topic quickly becoming a focal point in the internal politics of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Boahen Aidoo, who led COCOBOD from 2017 to 2023, recently questioned Dr. Acheampong’s involvement in the cancellation of syndicated cocoa loans, insinuating that the policy was either covertly introduced to Cabinet or initially opposed by Acheampong. But in a sharp response, the Acheampong campaign dismissed these remarks as “revisionist” and “misleading.”
In a detailed statement, the Bryan Acheampong Communications Directorate accused the former COCOBOD boss of distorting facts to discredit a major policy shift credited to Dr. Acheampong’s leadership.
“The facts surrounding the cocoa syndication reform are clear, documented, and verifiable,” the statement said, affirming that it was Dr. Bryan Acheampong, as Minister for Food and Agriculture, who officially proposed ending Ghana’s decades-long dependence on offshore syndicated loans.
The campaign cited the 278% increase in the cocoa producer price—from GH₵800 in 2022 to GH₵3,100 in 2024—as a direct outcome of the reform, branding it a “historic uplift” for Ghanaian cocoa farmers.
A Missed Opportunity?
Acheampong’s team further questioned why, during Boahen Aidoo’s eight-year tenure, no such reform was implemented — a subtle but pointed critique of missed opportunities under the former CEO’s watch.
“Is it sheer coincidence that it was implemented only when Dr. Bryan Acheampong became Minister?” the statement asked.
Clarifying Roles
The campaign also emphasized the constitutional role of ministers in driving government policy, noting that while agencies like COCOBOD may execute tasks, policy direction originates from ministers.
“The credit for Free SHS goes to the Minister for Education—not the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service,” the team argued, drawing a parallel to highlight the chain of responsibility in governance.
Call for Party Unity
Despite the sharp tone, the statement ended on a conciliatory note, calling for unity within the NPP and encouraging all members to see the cocoa syndication reform as a collective achievement, not a source of division.
“Credit must be accorded where it is due, but more importantly, the success of this reform should be celebrated as a collective victory for the NPP and for Ghana.”
With the 2025 general elections on the horizon, the cocoa syndication debate underscores the growing competition within the NPP as aspirants position themselves for leadership. Dr. Bryan Acheampong’s camp is clearly framing him as a decisive, reform-driven leader, using the cocoa sector turnaround as a signature achievement.
Sources:Mybrytfmonline.com/Akosua Asabea
