By: Evans Osei-Bonsu
The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah,Esq., has called on President John Dramani Mahama to direct the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr. Ato Boateng, to step aside pending investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
The petition against Mr. Boateng stems from allegations that Atlas Commodities Limited, a cocoa buying company with which he was previously associated, operated in warehouses reportedly registered to the Produce Buying Company (PBC) without proper authorisation. The Minority in Parliament further alleged possible regulatory breaches and a conflict of interest, arguing that Mr. Boateng’s past directorship and shareholding in the company could compromise his role at COCOBOD.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the MP insisted that the Deputy CEO’s continued stay in office could compromise ongoing investigations into the alleged conflict of interest and related regulatory concerns.
The call follows a response issued by Mr. Boateng in which he welcomed investigations by the OSP and CHRAJ and dismissed the allegations against him as “false and unfounded.” In his statement, Mr. Boateng said he resigned as a director of Atlas Commodities Limited on January 20, 2025, prior to assuming his current role at COCOBOD, and transferred his shares to Edinam Yao Cofie and George Ofori as trustees of a trust established for that purpose. He also indicated that he declared his previous interest in the company in his assets declaration to the Auditor-General.
The COCOBOD Deputy CEO further clarified that the Board does not hold shares in PBC and does not influence its management decisions. He explained that the regulation of Licensed Buying Companies falls under the Deputy Chief Executive for Operations, while grading and quality control are supervised by the Deputy Chief Executive for Agronomy and Quality Control. According to the statement, his role as Deputy Chief Executive for Finance and Administration is limited to effecting payments after approvals by the Chief Executive, the Board and the Deputy Chief Executive for Operations.
However, Hon. Assafuah contends that key issues raised in his petition remain unanswered.
“Per Mr. Boateng’s reaction, there was no denial or admission that Atlas Commodities Limited has been using warehouses belonging to the state,” the MP stated. “By his conduct, he has agreed to the veracity of the claim.”
The Old Tafo legislator further alleged that official records at the Registrar-General’s Department contradict Mr. Boateng’s claim that he has relinquished his shares in the company.
“The argument that he transferred his shares is not supported by documents from the Registrar-General’s Department, which still list him as holding 1,600 shares in Atlas Commodities Limited, making him a majority shareholder,” Mr. Assafuah said.
He also alleged attempts to alter the company’s shareholding structure following his public disclosures.
“There are attempts to transfer Ato Boateng’s shares completely to one Yao Edinam, a minority shareholder, after I made public these revelations in an attempt to purge the COCOBOD Deputy Managing Director of wrongdoing and perpetuate a crime against the state,” he claimed.
The MP warned against any interference with official company records.
“I am putting the Registrar-General’s Department on notice not to attempt to tamper with any information relating to this matter,” he said.
Hon. Assafuah maintained that in the interest of transparency and to protect the integrity of the investigative process, Mr. Boateng should step aside.
“I call on the President, as a matter of urgency, to ask the Deputy CEO to step aside pending the outcome of investigations by CHRAJ and the OSP, as he attempts to tamper with evidence against his potential culpability,” he stated.
Source: Purefmonlinegh.com || 2026
