ANNOH-DOMPREH FILES GH¢30 MILLION DEFAMATION SUIT AGAINST BONO MINISTER OVER COCOA SMUGGLING CLAIMS

 

The Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has filed a GH¢30 million defamation suit at the High Court in Accra against the Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, and online media platform GhanaWeb.

The legal action follows comments made by the Minister on April 28, 2026, during a public engagement in the Bono Region, in which he allegedly linked Mr. Annoh-Dompreh to cocoa smuggling operations involving Côte d’Ivoire.

The remarks, widely circulated by GhanaWeb and other media outlets, accused the lawmaker of encouraging cocoa buyers and purchasing clerks to divert government funds into Côte d’Ivoire to procure cocoa and smuggle it back into Ghana, allegedly to undermine the government.

According to court documents, the Minister claimed that intelligence gathered by his office led to the interception of over 100 bags of cocoa allegedly being smuggled across the border.

However, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as false, malicious, reckless, and politically motivated. He argues that the statements portray him as a criminal involved in economic sabotage, cross-border smuggling, and abuse of office.

The plaintiff contends that the publication has caused significant damage to his reputation, political career, and public image, exposing him to ridicule, suspicion, and possible investigations by state security agencies.

In his suit, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh is seeking a declaration that the statements are defamatory, GH¢20 million in general damages, and an additional GH¢10 million in aggravated and exemplary damages jointly against the defendants.

He is also demanding a public retraction and unqualified apology with equal prominence across all platforms where the allegations were published, as well as a perpetual injunction to prevent any further similar claims. Legal costs and other reliefs deemed appropriate by the court have also been requested.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh further highlighted his public service record, noting his roles as a third-term Member of Parliament, former Majority Chief Whip, current Minority Chief Whip, and Chairman of the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs of the Pan-African Parliament.

The case emerges amid heightened political tensions surrounding the Minority’s nationwide cocoa tour, which has taken them through major cocoa-growing regions including Ashanti, Eastern, Ahafo, Bono, and Bono East.

While farmers and stakeholders have raised concerns about declining cocoa prices and delayed payments, the Minority has accused the government of neglecting the sector. The Bono Regional Minister, however, maintains that security intelligence points to organised cocoa smuggling activities, insisting that the government is working to protect the industry.

The case is expected to further intensify debate over Ghana’s cocoa sector and the broader political discourse surrounding its management.