The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has dismissed allegations that the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Ransford Anertey Abbey, failed to declare his assets in accordance with the law.
The ruling follows a petition filed by Wilberforce Asare a journalist with Accra-based Asaase radio, who alleged that Dr. Randy Abbey had not declared his assets and liabilities after assuming office as COCOBOD Chief Executive, contrary to the requirements of Article 286 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550).
In its decision dated March 12, 2026, CHRAJ concluded that the allegation lacked merit after investigations confirmed that Dr. Abbey had complied with the asset declaration requirements.
Complaint and Allegation
In his complaint filed on November 20, 2025, Mr. Asare asked CHRAJ to investigate several public officials, including board chairpersons and chief executives of state institutions, for allegedly failing to declare their assets as required by law.
The petition cited information obtained through a Right to Information request to the Auditor-General, which suggested that Dr. Abbey had declared his assets only in a previous role as a policy advisor to the Vice President but not in his capacity as COCOBOD CEO.
Mr. Asare therefore urged CHRAJ to determine the extent of non-compliance and apply sanctions where necessary.
Response by COCOBOD CEO
Responding to the allegation, Dr. Abbey denied any wrongdoing and told CHRAJ that he had duly declared his assets and liabilities as Chief Executive of COCOBOD.
He submitted an official receipt from the Ghana Audit Service confirming that his declaration was filed on March 24, 2025.
Findings of the Commission
After reviewing documentary evidence, including records from the Auditor-General, CHRAJ found that Dr. Abbey had indeed submitted his asset declaration within the legally required timeframe.
The Commission established that Dr. Abbey was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD on January 21, 2025, and declared his assets on March 24, 2025—within the three-month period required by law.
CHRAJ also noted inconsistencies in a document generated by the Audit Service that described Dr. Abbey as a “policy advisor to the Vice President.” However, the Commission concluded that this description was erroneous.
According to the findings, Dr. Abbey had never been appointed to such a position and had correctly identified himself as Chief Executive of COCOBOD in the asset declaration form.
Decision
CHRAJ ruled that Dr. Abbey complied fully with Article 286 of the Constitution and Act 550 by declaring his assets within the statutory period.
“The allegation brought against the Respondent wholly lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed,” the Commission stated.
The Commission, led by Commissioner Joseph Whittal, also commended Dr. Abbey for submitting his declaration in a timely manner and fulfilling his constitutional obligation.
Under Ghana’s asset declaration regime, certain public office holders—including heads of public corporations—are required to declare their assets and liabilities before taking office, every four years while in office, and at the end of their term.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
