COCOBOD Firmly Denies GH¢12 Million Sponsorship Claim for Black Stars, Labels Allegations “False and Misleading”
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has categorically rejected circulating claims that it sponsored the Ghana national football team (Black Stars) with a GH¢12 million donation, describing the allegations as “false, misleading, and without any factual basis.”
In an official public notice issued on February 25, 2026, COCOBOD stated clearly that it has never sponsored the Black Stars or diverted any funds meant for cocoa farmers to support football-related activities.
“At no point has COCOBOD diverted funds meant for farmer payments to support the Black Stars,” the notice emphasised.
The Board reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to its core mandate: prioritising the welfare of cocoa farmers through:
- Prompt and full payment for cocoa purchases
- Provision of subsidised inputs (fertilisers, seedlings, pesticides)
- Extension services and farmer education
- Sustained investment in productivity enhancement, research, and disease control
COCOBOD urged the public, media outlets, and stakeholders—especially cocoa farmers—to disregard the rumours and rely exclusively on official communications from the Board for accurate information.
The denial comes amid growing public scrutiny and online speculation regarding funding allocations, resource management at COCOBOD, and perceived priorities amid ongoing challenges in the cocoa sector (including recent producer price adjustments, payment delays in some areas, and concerns over galamsey encroachment on cocoa farms).
The statement serves to reassure farmers and industry players that COCOBOD remains focused on protecting and advancing the interests of the over one million households directly dependent on cocoa production — Ghana’s most important agricultural export and a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings.
No further details have been provided regarding the origin of the GH¢12 million sponsorship claim, but COCOBOD’s swift and unequivocal response underscores the sensitivity of any suggestion that farmer funds are being redirected elsewhere. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has also not commented publicly on the alleged donation as of February 25, 2026.
Cocoa stakeholders, including farmer cooperatives and civil society groups, have welcomed COCOBOD’s clarification while calling for continued transparency in financial management and timely farmer payments to maintain confidence in the sector.
