COCOBOD to Audit Workforce amid Sector Reforms and Cost-Cutting Measures
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is set to conduct a comprehensive internal audit of its workforce to verify the exact number of employees on its payroll and evaluate their roles within the institution.
The move forms part of broader restructuring efforts aimed at strengthening the cocoa sector and improving operational efficiency. The audit will determine whether the regulator’s reported staff strength exceeds 10,000 and assess whether employees are appropriately placed in their respective portfolios.
Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Jerome Sam, confirmed the development in an interview, explaining that the exercise is a key initiative under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer, Randy Abbey. According to him, the CEO is focused on repositioning the institution after inheriting what he described as a struggling cocoa industry.
Mr. Sam noted that the review is not solely about reducing numbers but about ensuring productivity and value for money. He indicated that if all staff members are found to be effective and contributing meaningfully to the organisation’s mandate, their positions would be justified. However, he added that if the findings show the institution can function optimally with a significantly smaller workforce, appropriate measures will be taken in the interest of sustaining the industry.
He further explained that the human resource audit will verify claims that COCOBOD has over 10,000 permanent staff and determine whether current role allocations align with operational needs.
The planned assessment comes as COCOBOD grapples with financial pressures in the cocoa sector. As part of austerity measures introduced to address liquidity challenges, Executive Management members have accepted a 20 per cent salary reduction, while Senior Staff have taken a 10 per cent pay cut.
At a recent media briefing, Dr. Abbey disclosed that the institution currently employs about 10,200 permanent workers, in addition to roughly 8,000 contract and casual staff across its subsidiaries and divisions.
The outcome of the internal audit is expected to guide possible restructuring decisions aimed at enhancing efficiency and securing the long-term viability of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
