Seven staff members of Cocoa Processing Company PLC (CPC) have been interdicted. This follows findings by the Ghana Audit Service, which identified GHS 4,373,355.04 as outstanding and unaccounted for. The discrepancies are linked to the operations of the CPC Consumer Cooperative Shop.
The audit covered the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 financial years. It concluded in March 2026. The findings revealed irregularities concerning products supplied to the union-run shop. This shop is located on CPC’s premises in Tema. The consumer shop, managed by workers through their unions, reportedly owed CPC GHS 4,373,355.04 for goods supplied by September 2025. Additionally, the shop operated rent-free and did not pay for utilities during the audited period.
This development unfolds within a broader context of stricter financial oversight in Ghana’s public sector. State-owned enterprises, like CPC, face increasing pressure to demonstrate financial accountability and efficiency. The Ghana Audit Service frequently uncovers financial irregularities across various government institutions. These reports often highlight challenges in managing assets and recovering debts. Such an internal audit for CPC underscores the ongoing effort to plug financial leakages and improve corporate governance.
The Ghana Audit Service warned that failing to recover these receivables could negatively affect CPC's financial health. CPC's Managing Director, Professor William Coffie, signed interdiction letters dated May 11, 2026. He stated that management reviewed responses from the staff but found no resolution. The interdicted staff include the Chairman of the Senior Staff Union, the Chairman of the Junior Staff Union, and a Principal Accounts Officer. Four affected officers served on the Consumer Shop Management Committee, two acted as patrons, and one was the shopkeeper. These roles illustrate the diverse levels of involvement in the shop’s operations.
Further investigations are necessary to reach a final decision. The Ghana Audit Service recommended immediate recovery of the outstanding amounts. It also urged CPC to ensure proper accounting for rent, water, and electricity in the future. The affected staff must stop all withdrawals from the shop’s bank accounts. They are also required to participate in a joint stock-taking exercise. They will receive two-thirds of their salaries during the investigation period, as per the company's collective agreement. This action signals a strong commitment by CPC management to address financial lapses. Such measures aim to prevent future occurrences and protect the company’s capital.