President John Dramani Mahama recently appointed Dr. Randy Abbey as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on January 21, 2025. This decision has sparked mixed reactions among Ghanaians, with many sharing their views on social media.
Some people are unhappy with the appointment, arguing that Dr. Abbey’s background as a media personality does not match the specialized needs of COCOBOD. They believe the cocoa industry, which is dealing with problems like low production, smuggling, and unstable prices, needs a leader with deep experience in cocoa-related matters. Others have pointed to his time at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), claiming that he did not achieve much progress there, which makes them doubt his ability to manage COCOBOD successfully.
However, there are those who support Dr. Abbey’s appointment. They are confident that his experience in media and sports administration will bring new ideas and strategies to COCOBOD.
See some tweets below…
Randy Abbey who failed abysmally at the GFA has been appointed as the CEO of one of the biggest export commodity of the country.
What result are we bound to expect.— Ahenkan 💙 (@DjoletoT) January 21, 2025
No disrespect to Dr. Randy Abbey but as a President, if my country’s No.1 export product has plummeted to its lowest point in two decades, with production levels standing at a concerning 530,000 metric tonnes, I don’t think Randy Abbey will be my best call to revamp that sector. pic.twitter.com/pYVBShvPtt
— Tutankhamun. (@Obiba_) January 21, 2025
A Media Professional as CEO of COCOBOD. A very complicated and specialised sector that is already making huge losses.
For JM’s sake, I hope it pans out well cos if things don’t go well there the CSOs go eat him alive with criticism. Randy Abbey will need all the prayers.
— Benjamin Kesse (@Nana_kesse1) January 21, 2025
Randy Abbey appointed as Acting CEO of COCOBOD pic.twitter.com/rsBmYPcM1e
— Serwaa Amihere (@Serwaa_Amihere) January 21, 2025
Dr. Opuni was a Cocoa farmer, Likewise Joseph Boahen Aidoo. What experience does Randy Abbey have about Cocoa??, Cocobod???? Leave Cocobod alone… We need an experienced CEO#Cocobod
— Eno Adwoa (@Nana20b) January 21, 2025
Heavy disappointed in the Randy Abbey appointment.
We are about to get knocked off by Ecuador on the cocoa producer list and we appoint someone with no expertise in the field to head the parastatal that handles cocoa?— KEANO (@SwaggyDaOg) January 21, 2025
I don’t love Randy Abbey to COCOBOD. That place needs an experienced hand at the helm of affairs!! What are we doing?
— JM2024 (@yesterdaywasli1) January 21, 2025
Dr Randy Abbey of Metro TV Ghana, too, Sorted.
Settlement over competence.
Cry for Mother Ghana 🇬🇭 😢 💔
— Abdul Rauf Ibrahim (@AbdulRaufIbra20) January 21, 2025
I am not too convinced about Randy Abbey as Cocoa Board CEO. We know him as a journalist and a sports person…how qualified is he to manage such an important agency? We dey watch!
— Albert Nat Hyde ™ (@1BongoIdeas) January 21, 2025
