4 Arrested, 100 Bags of Cocoa Seized in Nkrankwanta Smuggling Bust— Bono Minister

 

Sunyani, Bono Region — April 29, 2026

 

Police in the Bono Region have arrested four persons and confiscated 100 bags of cocoa at Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa West District over alleged smuggling, Bono Regional Minister Joseph Addae Akwaboah confirmed Tuesday.

 

Speaking at a press conference at the Regional Coordinating Council in Sunyani yesterday, the Minister said the arrests followed complaints from cocoa farmers during his accountability tour of the Dormaa enclave last week.

 

“The suspects, instead of buying Ghana cocoa, were buying from Ivory Coast and later smuggling them into Ghana,” Mr. Akwaboah told newsmen.

 

He alleged that some licensed buying companies and cocoa purchasing clerks had failed to buy from local farmers despite receiving government funds, and were instead sourcing beans through smugglers along the Ghana–Ivory Coast border.

 

Mr. Akwaboah claimed the suspects included local NPP executives. He said one is an executive in Dormaa West and also works as a cocoa purchasing clerk. _Odonkoanews has not independently verified the political affiliations of the suspects._

 

The Minister alleged the “sole intention was to make the government unpopular” and to undermine government’s policy of purchasing Ghana cocoa at a higher price than Ivory Coast. “Such individuals intend to paint the government black for political scores,” he said.

 

Mr. Akwaboah issued a warning to the public, particularly “some members of the minority who want to tarnish the name of the government for personal gain,” to desist or risk arrest.

 

He further singled out *Frank Annoh-Dompreh, MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri*, accusing him of “instigating cocoa smuggling syndicates to make the NDC government unpopular.” _Hon. Annoh-Dompreh has not responded to the allegation. Odonkoanews is reaching out for comment._

 

The Minister warned that smugglers using Bono Region borders for illicit activity would be arrested and prosecuted “without fear or favour.”

 

Police have not yet released the names of the four suspects. Investigations are ongoing.