Reduction in cocoa production not fault of COCOBOD

Akwasi Ampratwum Mensah May - 06 - 2016 , 14:49

The chairman of the Supreme Council of COCOBOD, Alhaji Hassan Idris, has indicated that the drastic reduction in cocoa production in 2015 cannot be attributed to the alleged mismanagement by the leadership of COCOBOD.

According to him, the reason was due to the unfavourable rainfall pattern last year. The chairman also stated that the situation could not also be blamed on the government, since it carried out its responsibilities of providing fertiliser, adequate cocoa seedlings and other inputs for cocoa farmers for the growth of the sector.

‘‘I want to advise that the poor yield of cocoa in 2015 should not be politicised at all, as it has nothing to do with insensitivity on the part of the government or the poor handling of affairs by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, Dr Stephen Opuni, and his team ,’’ he emphasised.

Durbar

Alhaji Idris was addressing a durbar of cocoa farmers and workers in the industry at the COCOBOD warehouse complex at Kejebril, near Takoradi in the Western Region. It was organised by the Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut (COCOSHE) Farmers Association.

He observed that the future of cocoa production in the country was bright, saying that with a favourable change in the weather conditions, the annual tonnage would rise once again.

The chairman noted that despite last year’s challenges, cocoa farmers received the remuneration that was due them.

‘‘So all those who are calling for the removal of the CEO are doing so with malice and want to settle personal scores,” he claimed.

Loans

He disclosed that for the 2014-2015 cocoa season, the government, through COCOBOD, contracted a syndicated loan of $1.7 billion for the purchase of cocoa beans. And for the 2015-2016 season, another loan of $1.8 billion had been sought for to help accelerate the growth of the sector.