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COCOBOD to address swollen shoot disease, over-aged cocoa trees–CEO
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) will commit more than a third of the USD 600,000 loan it has secured from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to address the problem of swollen shoot diseases and over-aged cocoa trees in the country, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, Mr Joseph Boahen-Aidoo has said.
“We will also do an assessment of the problem and see how it had impacted the lives of cocoa farmers and their families and seek solutions to the problems,” he emphasised.
Mr Boahen-Aidoo disclosed this to the media when he paid a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa at his office on Tuesday as part of his three-day duty tour of the Volta and Oti regions.
The visit was to enable him and his entourage inspect cocoa farms as well as assess various crop initiatives, and the degree of damage caused by the swollen shoot disease on their farms.
Mr Boahen-Aidoo said so far, 300,000 hectares of the cocoa lands had been affected by the swollen shoot disease in the country, adding that the Volta and Oti regions were not left out.
Meanwhile, he said 3.6 million cocoa seedlings had been raised for distribution to farmers and that a total of 3,000 hectares of cocoa farms affected by swollen shoot were to be rehabilitated.
“This will begin to yield results between six and seven years”, the COCOBO CEO added.
In the meantime, he said, hand pollination and pruning were among measure adopted to protect the cocoa farms.
Mr Boahen- Aidoo commended the security agencies in the Volta Region for their ferocious fight against cocoa smuggling, saying “The recent seizure of a total of 625 bags of cocoa from smugglers in the Wudome, Ave, Papase and Kadjebi areas testified to their strong stance to protect the cocoa industry from nation wreckers.”
On his part, Dr Letsa said that cocoa was a national treasure and for that matter, the Regional Security Council would always protect the interest of the farmers and deal ruthlessly with the smugglers.
FROM ALBERTO MARIO NORETTI, HO
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called for the immediate release of Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, accusing the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) of abusing its powers in the conduct of investigations against him.
In a press statement dated February 11, 2026, and signed by Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Caucus described the actions of the NIB as “unacceptable” and politically motivated.
According to the statement, the issue began on February 3, 2026, when the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, wrote to the Director-General of the NIB.
In the letter, he requested an investigation into an allegation reportedly made by Mr. Ofosu Nkansah on Sompa Radio 106.5.
The allegation suggested that an individual had paid money to secure a scholarship to study abroad. The letter further directed the NIB to submit its findings.
The Minority said Mr. Ofosu Nkansah was first invited to the NIB office on February 5, 2026, to assist with investigations.
He reportedly honoured the invitation and appeared with his lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South.
After the meeting, he was allowed to go home without being charged.
However, the Caucus said the NIB invited him again on February 9, while he was in Kumasi visiting his seriously ill father.
According to the statement, he informed the Bureau that he could not report immediately due to his father’s condition and requested to appear on February 11 instead.
The Minority claimed the NIB insisted he report earlier.
The statement further alleged that when Mr. Ofosu Nkansah reported to the NIB, heavily armed officers took him to his residence to conduct a search and later returned him to the NIB office at Nima in Accra.
The Minority Caucus questioned the need for what it described as “forcible actions,” especially when, in its view, Mr. Ofosu Nkansah had been cooperative.
It also claimed that his rights were infringed upon and alleged that he had been taken to an unknown location without access to his legal counsel.
“As far as we know, Mr. Ofosu is at an unknown location,” the statement said, adding that the situation was worrying.
The Caucus argued that such actions could undermine Ghana’s democracy and the rule of law. It maintained that investigations should be conducted in a civil and lawful manner.
The Minority also linked the incident to what it described as broader national concerns, including delays in payments to cocoa farmers, unemployment and the rising cost of living.
It urged the government to focus its attention on addressing these economic challenges instead.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has announced that it will soon begin issuing licences for the cultivation of cannabis strictly for medicinal and industrial purposes in Ghana.
In a press statement dated February 11, 2026, the Commission said the move follows Parliament’s approval of the regulatory and cost framework to operationalise the licensing regime.
The framework allows for the controlled cultivation, processing and use of cannabis with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content not exceeding 0.3 per cent.
NACOC explained that the licences will be granted only to qualified entities that meet strict requirements.
According to the Commission, applicants must have strong security protocols, product traceability systems, quality assurance standards, and must fully comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
It cautioned prospective applicants to deal directly and exclusively with the Commission through its Cannabis Regulations Department (CRD).
It also warned the public to avoid individuals, groups or associations claiming they can facilitate the licensing process. The Commission stressed that applicants must follow only the officially approved procedures and guidelines.
NACOC reiterated that the recreational use of cannabis remains illegal in Ghana.
It noted that the new licensing regime applies only to cannabis with THC content not exceeding 0.3 per cent and strictly for medicinal and industrial use.
The Commission said it will work closely with the Ministry of the Interior, the Ghana Standards Authority and the Food and Drugs Authority to ensure effective implementation, monitoring and enforcement of the framework.
NACOC said it remains committed to protecting public health and safety while supporting lawful innovation and industrial development in the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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