The Majority Caucus in Parliament has accused appointees of the former Nana Akufo-Addo administration of gross mismanagement at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), which has worsened the current challenges in the cocoa sector.
The remarks were made on February 19 by the Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo, during a press briefing.
He claimed that poor logistical decisions, particularly in handling jute sacks used for cocoa packaging, had imposed unnecessary financial burdens on the state.
According to Mr Adongo, COCOBOD had approximately 286,000 bales of jute sacks at the ports, but cleared only 91,000, leaving a significant quantity uncleared.
He further alleged that shortly before leaving office, the previous administration authorised the procurement of an additional 80,000 bales at a reported cost of GH¢48 million.
Describing the move as imprudent, Mr Adongo argued that such decisions deprived the state of funds that could have been channelled into supporting cocoa farmers. He maintained that these actions contributed directly to the financial strain currently confronting the cocoa industry.
The Majority insists that accountability must follow, as government under President John Dramani Mahama rolls out reforms aimed at stabilising production and restoring financial discipline within the sector.
“If it were possible in the days that we were whipping people, these are the people we have to line up and tell cocoa farmers that it is the conduct of these people that denied the government of Ghana the resources to properly take care of you at this point in time.”
“So that we will give everybody a cane, and cocoa farmers will whip them. Then we will know who is at fault. But these are the type of people who can sing and dance better than everybody. They think that if you tell a lie many times, it becomes the truth,” he said.
The Caucus maintains that restoring transparency and prudent management practices is essential to rebuilding confidence in Ghana’s cocoa industry.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com