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A member of the Communications Team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Emmanuel Senyo Amekplenu, has submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), seeking full disclosure on the recent salary reductions announced for the Board’s management and senior staff.
In a formal petition dated February 17, 2026, and addressed to COCOBOD’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Amekplenu requested copies of board resolutions, minutes, memoranda, and directives that authorised the 20% salary cut for Executive Management and the 10% reduction for Senior Staff.
The request follows COCOBOD’s press release on February 16, 2026, which described the pay cuts as part of cost-saving measures in response to financial pressures within the cocoa sector.
Citing constitutional provisions and the Right to Information Act, Mr. Amekplenu is also demanding details on the effective date and duration of the salary adjustments, as well as the total annual wage bill of affected staff before and after the reductions. He further seeks information on the projected savings expected from the exercise and the number of employees impacted.
Beyond the salary issue, he has asked for COCOBOD’s approved procurement plan for the 2025/2026 financial year, including any amendments made during the period. The request also covers comprehensive records of goods and services procured from January 1, 2025, to date—such as suppliers, contract values, procurement methods, and copies of contracts or award letters where applicable.
Additionally, Mr. Amekplenu is requesting justification for any reduction in cocoa prices paid to farmers, including the legal, financial, and policy basis for such decisions, as well as relevant correspondence between COCOBOD and the Ministry of Finance (Ghana) or other state agencies.
He has asked that the information be provided electronically where possible and expects a response within 14 working days, in accordance with the RTI law.
The move has heightened public interest in COCOBOD’s financial management and policy direction amid ongoing debate about reforms in Ghana’s cocoa industry.
Find statement below
