The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, has accused Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh of instigating a cocoa smuggling syndicate aimed at undermining the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government. The allegation was made during a press briefing in Sunyani on April 27, 2026.
According to the minister, the syndicate is allegedly smuggling cocoa beans to neighboring countries, depriving the state of revenue. He claimed that Annoh-Dompreh is using his influence to facilitate the illegal trade, though no evidence was provided during the briefing.
Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. He challenged the minister to provide proof or retract the statement.
This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced in Ghana's cocoa sector, which is a major source of foreign exchange. The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has previously reported efforts to curb smuggling, but no official investigation into Annoh-Dompreh has been announced.
As of April 28, 2026, no charges have been filed, and the matter remains a political dispute. The NDC government has not commented further on the issue.
