Atlas Commodities Limited has rejected allegations of conflict of interest involving the Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr Ato Boateng.

The concerns were raised by the Minority in Parliament, led by the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, who called for investigations into Atlas’ operations. The Minority alleged that the company was operating in Produce Buying Company (PBC) warehouses without proper authorisation and suggested there could be regulatory breaches and potential conflicts of interest.

Company’s response

In a statement, Atlas clarified that Mr Boateng resigned as Director and Managing Director of the company on January 20, 2025, and placed his shares in a blind trust on the same day. The company indicated that both actions were completed before his appointment as COCOBOD Deputy CEO in February 2025.

Atlas stressed that since his resignation, Mr Boateng has had no involvement in its management, decision-making or operational activities.

The company, which describes itself as a fully Ghanaian-owned Licensed Buying Company operating under COCOBOD regulations since 2018, also addressed questions about its activities in the Volta and Oti Regions.

Operations in Volta and Oti

Atlas explained that it deployed staff to assist cocoa farmers in those areas after active Licensed Buying Companies were reportedly unavailable. To prevent spoilage, the company said it purchased approximately 3,000 bags of cocoa.

It further stated that it temporarily used PBC depot facilities with the approval of the relevant PBC District Manager and emphasised that it did not receive funds from COCOBOD for those operations.

According to Atlas, its partnership with PBC is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding and a Tripartite Sustainability Agreement signed in October 2023 arrangements it said predate Mr Boateng’s appointment at COCOBOD and were designed for mutual operational benefit.

The company also highlighted that it operates independently, maintaining its own depots, staff, logistics and procurement systems.

Atlas reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance and supporting cocoa farmers nationwide, maintaining that its recent interventions were intended to alleviate farmer distress and ensure smooth cocoa purchases.