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COCOBOD Crisis: Farmers need clear solutions, not assurances – Miracles Aboagye
Political communicator Miracles Aboagye has criticised the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) over the handling of the ongoing cocoa payment crisis, saying farmers need clear solutions rather than assurances.
According to him, he was not inspired after listening to the COCOBOD CEO, Dr.Randy Abbey’s address the issue, especially after the crisis has persisted for several months.
“I listened to the COCOBOD CEO and I wasn’t inspired. This crisis started as far back as November 2025, and here we are in February 2026, still telling farmers you’re looking for solutions. That is not assurance,” he said.
Mr. Aboagye described the situation as a sign of leadership failure, arguing that after four months, government should have clearly outlined concrete measures to resolve the problem.
He questioned how long farmers are expected to wait, stressing that continued delays are discouraging and deeply worrying, especially as the country prepares to enter the main cocoa crop season.
He said he had visited several cocoa-growing communities and interacted directly with farmers, some of whom have not been paid for months.
According to him, the situation is pushing some farmers to consider selling their cocoa farms to illegal small-scale miners, commonly known as galamsey operators, who are offering immediate cash.
“The offers from galamsey operators are tempting. If farmers work hard and government delays their money, they may be forced to destroy cocoa farms just to survive,” he warned.
Mr. Aboagye described the situation as dangerous for the future of cocoa farming, noting that cocoa farms are long-term investments that support families across generations.
He cited examples of cocoa farms passed down through families over decades, stressing that cocoa farming is more sustainable than illegal mining, which destroys land and leaves communities worse off.
He also appealed to farmers not to give up their farms despite the challenges, urging them to think about future generations.
Mr. Aboagye called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to treat the cocoa crisis with urgency, saying the complaints from farmers are genuine and not exaggerated.
“The complaints are real. I have been to the farms. I have listened to the farmers. What they are saying on the airwaves is exactly what they are experiencing on the ground,” he said.
He added that cocoa farmers are facing rising living costs and need immediate support to survive.
The cocoa payment delays have sparked growing public concern, with calls mounting for government and COCOBOD to act swiftly to protect farmers and the cocoa sector.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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