Accra, Ghana — The Research and Investigative Desk of Tobinco Media Group (TMG-RID) has launched a second major transparency initiative, this time focusing on the financial operations of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), one of the country’s most critical state institutions.
In a formal request filed today under the Right to Information Act, the desk is demanding six years of detailed financial records from COCOBOD, covering the period 2020 to 2025.
The request, signed by Managing News Editor Bright Nana Amfoh, seeks to promote public accountability and provide clarity on the financial management of Ghana’s cocoa sector, which supports millions of livelihoods and remains a cornerstone of the national economy.
Scope of the Financial Request
Invoking Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), the letter addressed to COCOBOD’s Information Officer requests four key categories of documents:
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Annual Revenue Reports – Detailed records of all income generated by COCOBOD
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Annual Expenditure Reports – Comprehensive breakdowns of operational and administrative spending
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Loss Reports – Documentation of any financial losses incurred within the period
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Audited Financial Statements – Official audited accounts to verify financial performance and compliance
TMG-RID has requested the documents in PDF format via email, while also allowing for physical delivery through a pen drive or printed copies, ensuring accessibility and ease of review.
Why the Request Matters
Speaking on the initiative, Maxwell Mensah, Lead of TMG’s Research and Investigative Desk, said the request is about safeguarding public interest in a sector of national importance.
“This is about following the money that flows from Ghana’s golden beans. COCOBOD manages a sector that supports millions of livelihoods and is crucial to our national economy. Farmers, stakeholders, and the Ghanaian public deserve a clear and unambiguous picture of its financial performance, especially regarding revenues, expenditures, and reported losses,” he stated.
Building a Pattern of Accountability
The COCOBOD request follows closely on the heels of a similar Right to Information application filed by TMG-RID to the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), indicating a deliberate strategy by the media group to deploy transparency laws to scrutinize major public institutions.
Together, the initiatives reflect TMG’s expanding investigative focus on public finance, regulatory oversight, and institutional accountability, particularly in sectors that directly affect public welfare and economic stability.
Implications for the Cocoa Sector
COCOBOD’s financial management has long been a subject of public debate and parliamentary scrutiny due to its influence on cocoa pricing, farmer payments, sector sustainability, and national revenue generation. The requested data could reveal trends in efficiency, profitability, debt exposure, and fiscal challenges during a period marked by global market volatility and domestic policy shifts.
Awaiting Response
Under the Right to Information Act, COCOBOD is required to respond within a statutory timeframe. TMG-RID has provided clear contact details and says it will closely monitor compliance with the law.
The TMG Research & Investigative Desk says it will analyse and publish findings from the data once released, reaffirming its commitment to data-driven journalism and the public’s constitutional right to information.
This story will be updated as developments unfold.
