The Produce Buying Company (PBC) has confirmed concerns raised by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, regarding potential conflict of interest and administrative malpractice at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
In a petition submitted to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on February 19, 2026, Assafuah highlighted that Ato Boateng, Acting Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration at COCOBOD, previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Commodities Limited.
The company is involved in cocoa-related commercial activities, raising questions about possible preferential treatment and undue influence in COCOBOD-regulated systems.
Speaking on the matter, Mr. Boateng welcomed calls for investigations by both the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and CHRAJ, but dismissed the allegations as false and unfounded.
According to information released in his defence, he “resigned as a director of Atlas Commodities Limited on January 20, 2025, prior to assuming his current role at COCOBOD,” and also “transferred his shares in the company to Edinam Yao Cofie and George Ofori, who now serve as trustees of a trust set up for that purpose.”
PBC Ltd, in a statement dated Tuesday, February 24, 2026, confirmed that Atlas Commodities had been using its depots, sheds, and other resources in the Volta Region without authorization. The company described this as “clandestine” and “unauthorized use of our assets for private business interests.”
“Management hereby directs Atlas Commodities and all other Licensed Buying Companies to vacate PBC depots and sheds with immediate effect,” PBC stated. The company emphasized the importance of protecting cocoa farmers from exploitation, warning that any LBCs who fail to pay farmers promptly would be reported.
Assafuah’s petition asserts that Mr. Boateng’s prior executive role at Atlas Commodities and his current strategic position at COCOBOD could constitute a conflict of interest under Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution.
It calls on CHRAJ to examine whether Boateng’s past association influenced warehouse operations, financial approvals, or regulatory decisions, and whether full disclosure was made upon his COCOBOD appointment.
PBC’s confirmation of unauthorized use of its warehouses lends weight to the petition, as the company underscored that “any LBC seeking access to its facilities must follow formal procedures and receive executive approval.”
The petition requests CHRAJ to conduct a transparent investigation, determine if legal or administrative breaches have occurred, and recommend corrective measures to safeguard COCOBOD’s governance and maintain public trust in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
CHRAJ has yet to issue a public statement on the matter.
