“Randy Abbey can’t do the job, COCOBOD is bigger than him” – Captain Smart 

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Captain Smart

Godsbrain Smart Nkansah, popularly known as Captain Smart, has boldly stated that the CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, cannot handle the cocoa-buying state-owned company.

According to Captain Smart, the COCOBOD is bigger than Dr Randy Abbey.

The veteran broadcaster asserted that Randy is his brother, and it hurts him to say these things, adding that the COCOBOD CEO could have done things better.

Speaking on Onua TV Maakye show, Captain Smart boldly stated, “The truth of the matter is Randy Abbey is my brother, but he cannot do the job.. COCOBOD is bigger than him. It hurts me to say this”.

“I wanted to say this some time ago, but it was hard for me because Randy cannot do they Job. He could have done things better”.

Also, Paul Adom-Otchere, a renowned broadcaster and Host of Good Evening Ghana, has said the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is not a ‘common sense’ job.

According to Adom-Otchere, the COCOBOD position requires appointees who possess the necessary technical expertise.

He stressed that the ongoing challenges at COCOBOD highlight the dangers of placing politically connected individuals in technically demanding roles.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, February 14, 2026, he explained, “The issue at COCOBOD is bringing to the fore the conversation that politicians must understand that when a new government takes over, and they are distributing political positions, some of these positions are purely technical. You can take your person there, but make sure that such a person is technically competent.”

“From what we are seeing from COCOBOD, if you want to put someone who is a seasoned treasury banker over there, that will be fine. Or even a seasoned lawyer, who will also work. It is simply not a ‘common sense’ job,” he added.

He further added, “The good thing for politicians is that most of the jobs are common sense, and so many of them can do it. But those that are not, we must fit those places with competent people”.

Meanwhile, Head of Public Affairs Sam Jerome at COCOBOD has revealed that salary reductions affecting over 5,000 senior staff will generate GH¢5 million monthly.

According to Sam Jerome, the COCOBOD salary cut will total GH¢40 million over eight months to defray supplier debts.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, February 17, Sam Jerome detailed, “But the most important thing is that, at least, the leadership under Dr Randy Abbey has taken a step. And the step is that we have reduced the salaries of executive management as well as senior staff by 20% and 10%, respectively.

“From where I sit, tentatively at least some 5 million cedis can be saved on a monthly basis. So, if you have about eight months to go, you are talking about no less than 40 million Ghana cedis, which can be used to defray some of the debt that sits on the books of COCOBOD,” he said.

Sam Jerome details follows, the CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Randy Abbey, in a press statement, has announced that the Executive Management and Senior Staff will take a pay cut following the challenges within the cocoa sector.

According to the press release, the pay cuts take immediate effect and will remain in place for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop year.

The press release detailed that Executive Management will take a 20 per cent reduction in salaries, while Senior Staff will also be hit with a 10 per cent cut.

The pay cuts are seen as a broader cost-containment measure to align with revenue.

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