The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has rejected reports alleging that it provided a GH¢12 million sponsorship package to the Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars. In a public notice, the Board described claims that funds intended for cocoa farmers were diverted to support the national football team as “false, misleading, and without any factual basis.”
COCOBOD stressed that it has not financed the Black Stars in any capacity and has not reallocated resources meant for farmer payments to football-related activities. The Board reaffirmed that its core mandate remains the welfare of cocoa farmers, including ensuring timely payments for cocoa purchases, supplying farm inputs, providing extension services, and sustaining investment in the cocoa sector.
It urged the public to disregard the circulating allegations and rely solely on official communication channels for accurate information.The clarification comes amid heightened public scrutiny over the allocation of state resources, with COCOBOD seeking to reassure cocoa farmers and stakeholders that their interests remain its top priority.