Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate a potential conflict of interest and corruption involving a senior official of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Assafuah alleged that Atlas Commodities Ltd had been reported to the Jasikan Police for operating without complying with regulations governing COCOBOD and Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs).
He claimed the company is linked to COCOBOD’s Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration, Ato Boateng, whom he described as the sole beneficial owner.
He stressed that cocoa was intercepted from an unlicensed warehouse associated with the company, noting that all buyers are required to use COCOBOD-approved warehouses.
“I have received information that a company called Atlas Commodities Ltd has been reported to the Jasikan Police Station for failing to adhere to regulations set by COCOBOD and Licensed Buying Companies. In order to operate as a licensed buyer, a warehouse must be approved by COCOBOD. Some cocoa has been intercepted from an unlicensed warehouse,” he stated.
“Through the police station, I obtained a receipt and began questioning who is behind this company. The owner of Atlas Commodities Ltd is Ato Boateng, the Deputy CEO in charge of Finance and Administration at COCOBOD. He is the sole beneficial owner of the company and has access to sensitive information due to his position,” he added.
Mr. Assafuah further alleged that although attempts were made in September 2025 to transfer the company to a trustee after Mr. Boateng assumed office, he remains the beneficial owner and has not fully distanced himself from the business.
“In September 2025, he attempted to have the company put into a trust after taking office. However, he remains the beneficial owner. Despite his efforts to distance himself from the company, he is still in charge and has continued to serve as its CEO,” he said.
He called on the relevant authorities to intervene, stressing that public officers should not hold positions where conflicts of interest may arise.
“The Office of the Special Prosecutor and CHRAJ need to investigate this matter to determine if there is a conflict of interest. As a public officer, he should not be in this position,” Mr. Assafuah concluded.
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