The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, has defiantly pushed back against a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, declaring his readiness to resolve the escalating dispute in court rather than on the clock.
The confrontation stems from allegations made by the minister during his accountability tour in the Bono Region. Addae Akwaboa accused Annoh-Dompreh of being linked to a cocoa smuggling network operating between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. The claims followed the arrest of four individuals allegedly caught smuggling over 100 bags of cocoa into the country.
Speaking on Angel FM on April 28, 2026, Annoh-Dompreh vehemently denied any involvement, describing the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. He insisted that his visits to cocoa-growing communities were solely to engage farmers and understand their concerns. The Minority Chief Whip challenged the minister to produce concrete evidence, emphasising that the burden of proof rests with the accuser.
Annoh-Dompreh subsequently issued a 48-hour deadline for the minister to either substantiate the allegations or retract them, warning against what he called unfounded claims.
In a swift retort, Joseph Addae Akwaboa dismissed the ultimatum entirely. “Your 48 hours is too long for me. I am ready to meet you in court,” the minister declared, signalling his intention to let the judiciary settle the matter.
Annoh-Dompreh further reiterated that opposition lawmakers will continue to advocate for cocoa farmers and speak out on sector issues regardless of political pressure. He criticised the minister’s remarks as propaganda and a reflection of poor governance, insisting such claims would not deter him or his colleagues.
The regional minister had earlier alleged that intelligence reports pointed to the misuse of funds by some licensed buying companies, claiming the money was being diverted to purchase cheaper cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire instead of supporting local farmers. According to Addae Akwaboa, the situation is currently under investigation by security agencies and the anti-smuggling unit of the Ghana Cocoa Board.
Annoh-Dompreh has strongly rejected any connection to such activities, and no evidence has been publicly presented by the minister so far. The case now appears headed for the courts.
