Your 48-hours is too long for me, I'm ready to meet you in court - Bono Regional Minister dares Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh

The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, has pushed back against a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, stating that he is ready to pursue the matter in court instead.

The dispute follows allegations by the minister that Annoh-Dompreh is linked to a cocoa smuggling network reportedly operating between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. The claims were tied to the arrest of four individuals accused of smuggling over 100 bags of cocoa into the country.

Responding to the accusations during an interview on Angel FM on April 28, 2026, Annoh-Dompreh firmly denied any involvement, describing the allegations as baseless and politically driven. He maintained that his visits to cocoa-growing communities were solely to engage farmers and better understand their concerns.

He challenged the minister to provide concrete evidence to support the claims, emphasizing that no proof had been presented. According to him, the burden of proof lies with the accuser.

Annoh-Dompreh subsequently issued a 48-hour deadline for the minister to substantiate the allegations or retract them, warning against what he described as unfounded claims.

In response, Joseph Addae Akwaboa dismissed the ultimatum, asserting that he does not require that timeframe and is prepared to meet Annoh-Dompreh in court to address the matter.

The Minority Chief Whip further reiterated that opposition lawmakers will continue to advocate for cocoa farmers and speak out on issues affecting the sector, regardless of political pressure.

He also criticized the minister’s remarks as propaganda and a reflection of poor governance, insisting that such claims would not deter him or his colleagues.

The allegations were initially made during the minister’s accountability tour in the Bono Region, where he claimed intelligence reports pointed to the misuse of funds by some licensed buying companies. These funds, he alleged, were being diverted to purchase cheaper cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire instead of supporting local farmers.

According to the minister, the situation is currently under investigation by security agencies and the anti-smuggling unit of the Ghana Cocoa Board, although Annoh-Dompreh has strongly rejected any connection to such activities.