… Activists Slam ‘Trial-and-Error’ Leadership
Political pressure is mounting on President John Dramani Mahama following renewed calls from political activists and concerned citizens for the immediate dismissal of the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, over what they describe as gross incompetence and poor managerial judgment.
Leading the charge are Listowel Nana Poku, a member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Charles Boamah, a self-described concerned citizen, who argue that Dr. Abbey lacks the professional depth, industry expertise, and financial acumen required to manage one of Ghana’s most critical state institutions.
“COCOBOD Is Too Important for Trial-and-Error Leadership”
Nana Poku did not mince words, branding Dr. Abbey as “incompetent” and accusing him of exhibiting poor interpersonal relations that have reportedly worsened internal coordination within COCOBOD.
According to him, the cocoa sector—already under severe strain—cannot afford leadership missteps driven by inexperience.
“COCOBOD is not a playground for political experimentation. It is the backbone of Ghana’s agricultural economy,” Nana Poku warned.
Financial Crisis Meets Questionable Leadership
Mr. Charles Boamah raised deeper concerns about Dr. Abbey’s suitability, stressing that COCOBOD is currently battling serious financial distress, requiring urgent restructuring and disciplined fiscal management.
“Dr. Abbey does not possess the core competence or knowledge of the cocoa industry, nor does he have a financial background to implement the financial restructuring COCOBOD desperately needs,” Boamah stated.
He argued that the position of COCOBOD CEO demands specialised expertise in finance and cocoa-sector operations, not general administrative experience.
Football Committee vs Cocoa Economy
Boamah further questioned the logic behind Dr. Abbey’s leadership profile, pointing out that while he currently serves as Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee, managing Ghana’s cocoa sector requires a completely different skill set.
“Running football administration is not the same as managing a multi-billion-cedi cocoa economy that supports millions of livelihoods,” he said.
Lessons Ignored From the Past?
The activists also reminded President Mahama of what they described as past appointment errors, where individuals with unrelated professional backgrounds were placed at the helm of COCOBOD—decisions they claim led to inefficiencies and weakened institutional performance.
They warned that repeating such mistakes could further endanger the cocoa sector at a time when global prices, farmer welfare, and debt sustainability demand decisive and competent leadership.
Call for Immediate Action
Both Nana Poku and Boamah urged the President to act swiftly by replacing Dr. Abbey with a candidate who has deep industry knowledge and a proven record in financial management.
“We all want the cocoa sector and its farmers to thrive,” Boamah emphasized.
“The livelihoods of thousands of farmers and the future of this vital sector depend on getting this appointment right.”
As public scrutiny intensifies, the calls raise a critical question for the Mahama administration: will political loyalty continue to trump technical competence at COCOBOD, or will the government act decisively to stabilise Ghana’s most valuable agricultural institution?
For now, the pressure is squarely on the President.
