Tensions have erupted between the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, and the Office of the President following the appointment of Wisdom Kofi Dogbey as Managing Director (MD) of the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC).
The dispute reportedly stems from Dr. Abbey’s prior move—allegedly made in collaboration with former CMC MDs Mr. Vincent Okyere Akomeah, and Joe Forson—to promote Amponsah-Doku from Deputy MD to substantive MD without official authorization from the Jubilee House.
According to credible sources within CMC, this internal promotion was carried out clandestinely, raising questions about its legitimacy. The development caused unease among staff, particularly due to Amponsah-Doku’s known affiliation with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). Employees alleged that during his previous tenure, Amponsah-Doku victimized colleagues perceived to be sympathetic to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The situation escalated on Wednesday when Wisdom Kofi Dogbey, newly appointed by President Mahama, officially presented his letter of appointment signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President. At the time, Amponsah-Doku was still occupying the MD’s office and reportedly phoned Dr. Abbey, who instructed him not to step down, citing that he had not been consulted about the presidential appointment.
FREDRICK AMPONSAH -DOKU (Former Ag MD)
Insiders at the Presidency revealed that Dr. Abbey expressed his displeasure in a heated call to Dr. Callistus Mahama, questioning his authority to appoint a CMC MD without COCOBOD’s involvement. Dr. Abbey allegedly argued that CMC falls under the administrative supervision of COCOBOD, and therefore any appointment should have been done in consultation with his office.
In a further twist, sources also confirmed that Dr. Abbey recently appointed Daniel Kofi Amoateng as Deputy MD in charge of operations at CMC—another move that has sparked concern. Amoateng is reportedly affiliated with the NPP, raising eyebrows within the NDC over the increasing presence of individuals with perceived opposition ties in key roles.
One disgruntled staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned the loyalty of the COCOBOD CEO:
“Randy Abbey is very close to President Mahama and his family, but he must remember it is the NDC that brought Mahama back to power. Why is he defending Fredrick Amponsah-Doku, a known NPP appointee from the Akufo-Addo era? And now he’s bringing in another deputy with NPP links.”
The situation took a dramatic turn yesterday when Amponsah-Doku reported to work, insisting he remained the legitimate MD. However, he was allegedly forced out of the office by agitated member of the NDC, who insisted that Dogbey’s appointment must be respected.
