Former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Jantuah is advocating for a strategy to boost Ghana's cocoa industry.

She suggests that the country should focus on increasing local cocoa production and exports, while implementing a ban on cocoa imports to enhance the industry.

“We haven’t been able to promote our cocoa effectively as a country. In my opinion, considering that we have cocoa, we should ban the import of cocoa. We need to increase our cocoa production and focus on exporting it. The government should invest more in our local industries.”

Nana Yaa Jantuah's remarks follow allegations from the Minority in Parliament that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) was rejected by international banks when attempting to secure a $1.5 billion loan for the 2024/2025 cocoa season.

COCOBOD has denied these allegations, asserting that several banks have shown interest in the loan.

In an appearance on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, on Friday, Nana Yaa Jantuah argued that while borrowing from international banks is not inherently problematic, COCOBOD needs to prove its financial stability.

“There is nothing wrong with borrowing from international banks, but if they claim it’s untrue, then they should demonstrate their financial capacity for making the decision not to borrow, which would sustain the industry. If not, it’s like saying you won’t need financial aid when your own country is at the IMF.”