Annoh-Dompreh Slaps Bono Minister With GH¢30 Million Defamation Suit Over Cocoa Smuggling Claims

The Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri Constituency in the Eastern Region, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has dragged the Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, and online media platform GhanaWeb before the High Court in Accra, demanding GH¢30 million in damages over alleged defamatory comments linking him to cocoa smuggling operations involving Côte d’Ivoire.

The suit, filed at the High Court of Justice in Accra, follows comments made by the Bono Regional Minister on April 28, 2026, during a public engagement in the Bono Region, which the MP describes as defamatory and misleading.

In widely circulated remarks published by GhanaWeb and other media outlets, the Minister accused Mr. Annoh-Dompreh of allegedly using his recent cocoa farmers’ tour to encourage purchasing clerks and cocoa buyers to divert government funds into Côte d’Ivoire to purchase cocoa and smuggle it back into Ghana in an attempt to make the government unpopular.

According to the writ, the Minister stated in Twi that:

“Regarding the cocoa farm visitation by Annoh-Dompreh, he told the cocoa buyers that when the government funds are released, they should ensure they take all of those monies into Côte d’Ivoire to purchase Ivorian cocoa and bring them to Ghana, just to make the government look bad.”

The Minister further claimed that intelligence gathered by his office led to the interception of more than 100 bags of cocoa allegedly being smuggled from Côte d’Ivoire into Ghana.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh, however, has described the allegations as false, malicious, reckless, and politically motivated. In his statement of claim, he argues that the publication portrayed him as a criminal mastermind involved in economic sabotage, cross-border smuggling, abuse of office, and conduct unbecoming of a Member of Parliament.

He further contends that the statements damaged his political career, public standing, integrity, and international reputation.

The suit also states that the allegations exposed him to public ridicule, suspicion, embarrassment, and potential investigations by state security agencies.

Mr. Annoh-Dompreh insists that at no point did he encourage, support, or participate in any cocoa smuggling operation.

The court documents outline that the plaintiff is seeking:

• A declaration that the statements made by the Bono Regional Minister and republished by GhanaWeb are defamatory
• GH¢20 million in general damages for defamation
• GH¢10 million in aggravated and exemplary damages jointly against the defendants
• A public retraction and unqualified apology with equal prominence on all platforms where the allegations were published
• A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from repeating similar allegations
• Legal costs and any other reliefs the court may deem appropriate

In the suit, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh also emphasized his longstanding public service record, noting that he is 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.

He further referenced his background as former President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and his years of public and private sector service.

The legal battle comes amid rising political tensions surrounding the Minority’s nationwide cocoa tour, which has taken the opposition through cocoa-growing regions including Ashanti, Eastern, Ahafo, Bono, and Bono East.

During the tour, farmers, purchasing clerks, and traditional leaders have repeatedly complained about reduced cocoa prices, delayed payments, and economic hardship, while the Minority accuses the government of neglecting farmers and prioritising politics over livelihoods.

The Bono Regional Minister, however, has defended his comments, insisting that security intelligence links some purchasing clerks and political actors to cocoa smuggling activities.

He argues that the government is taking steps to protect the cocoa sector from organised sabotage.

The case is expected to intensify the already heated political debate over the cocoa sector and the Minority’s campaign against the government’s handling of the industry.