The ongoing crisis in Ghana’s cocoa sector has been linked, in part, to GH₵23 billion worth of cocoa roads contracts awarded between 2023 and 2024 under the previous NPP administration, according to Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister for Roads and Highways.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Agbodza said the contracts distracted COCOBOD from its core mandate of cocoa production, leading to delayed payments to farmers and disrupting the sector.
“The entire cocoa road program has been so badly handled that I consider that as one of the biggest problems COCOBOD is having right now,” he said.
“COCOBOD lost focus. They were not concentrating on cocoa production. They were focused on procurement. That is why President Mahama directed that COCOBOD should no longer indulge in cocoa roads but rather focus on production and marketing so that our farmers get the best value for their labour.”
According to Agbodza, the mismanagement of cocoa road projects has had significant negative effects on the sector, including: severe disruption to construction activities, deterioration of road infrastructure, disruption of the cocoa value chain and negative impact on farmer livelihoods
He explained that many cocoa road projects were suspended for investigation before completion, and by the time audits were concluded, many had deteriorated further, compounding the sector’s challenges.
“Funding shortfalls at COCOBOD resulted in delayed payments, leading to mounting arrears. The government requested an audit, review, and restructuring of the cocoa road project.
“An interim report was issued, and relevant agencies have been directed to review the entire program and present a report to government for action,” he said.
Agbodza reiterated that the suspension and mismanagement of the cocoa road program were major contributing factors to the current crisis, highlighting the need for COCOBOD to return to its primary role of production and marketing.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com