Audio Attachment: Listen Hackman Owusu-Agyeman |
Board Chairman at Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod), Hon. Hackman Owusu Agyeman says GHc 1.8Bn cannot be traced from the accounts of the state-controlled institution.
Responding to issues raised by the Minority at their press conference in the Western Region, he eplained that the erstwhile administration which expended the funds before leaving office, failed to properly account for what the money was used for specifically, adding that they had to borrow additional 3million Ghana Cedis from commercial bank before Cocobod could settle its indebtedness to farmers this season.
The Minority in Parliament, on Monday accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, of neglecting cocoa farmers in Ghana.
Member of Parliament for Bodi in the Western Region, Hon. Sampson Ahi in an interview with Okayfm explained that from the cancellation of some road projects, challenges with cocoa mass spraying exercise, and replacement of free fertilizers with subsidized ones, it is evident government is short-changing cocoa farmers.
On 21st June 2017, the Minority in Parliament held a similar press conference and drew the attention of the NPP Government to the fact that, the Ghanaian Cocoa farmer had indirectly paid for the fertilizers procured for the 2016/17 season, and therefore selling same to them amounts to broad day light robbery.
"It is also sad to note that no provision was made for cocoa roads in the COCOBOD budget for 2017/18. This means that the cocoa roads which are deteriorating faster than anticipated due to the neglect of the NPP government, is going to get worse, making users (mostly farmers) wretchedly despondent and low-spirited to continue to labour for our dear nation, meanwhile they have also cancelled all cocoa road contracts which were started by our administration," he said.
He also challenged government to come clean on how much has been accrued so far from the cocoa stabilization fund.
".....in Ghana, cocoa farmers are paid in kind and in cash, and by replacing the free fertilizer with a subsidized system, the NPP would inflict untold hardships on the cocoa farmer,” he added.
But in a quick riposte on OkayFM’s "Ade Akye Abia" Morning Show, Hackman Owusu Agyeman described the Minority's press conference as the effusions of a confused person. He wondered the moral right of the NDC to even address Ghanaians on matters relating to cocoa farmers.
"They are just doing their usual politics and propaganda with cocoa issues...The kind of rot they left at cocobod is unimaginable....it stinks. Some 34 contracts which were paid for by the NDC government does not exist in the books of the Cocobod....
“We will soon publish every information we have about the rot that was perpetrated by the NDC government at cocoa board", he added
Currently, he said, investigations are being carried out by EOCO and the CID, and when they are done, "we will make the findings public".
Source: Isaac kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com
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If you can't prosecute, don't come and waste our ears. you are too quick to come out with allegations and yet you are not prosecuting anyone. If you think you can't prosecute them, then please stop the allegations because it is becoming too irritating.
well said guys,why is this man always disturbing us,you talk too much. prosecute them and do what you are tasked as board chairman to do. Enough of these populace talk and be serious as a board chairman.
You keep coming up with these statements of rots here, rots there, why are you not prosecuting the wrong doers if they have stolen our money? Without the SP, you cannot prosecute any wrong doing?
NPP what are you telling us? You are always telling us that they have chopppped money. It is 10 months and you have not prosecuted anybody. Yet, you are always telling us that they have chopped money? Are you still in opposition or are you in govt?
May I ask if COCOBOD doesn't have a PRO or where is the CEO? Why should the Chairman of COCOBOD answer questions relating to the day to day administration of COCOBOD? I think the Chairman, COCOBOD is usurping his authority and making the CEO persona non grata. Additionally, what contributions actually does the Board system provide for the growth of state entities rather than awarding contracts to themselves and collecting their seating allowances?
A big lie. These people cannotn trace everything. Your incompetence cannot be swept under the carpet with these ***barred word*** allegations. Go get the people who have taken the money and stop blowing hot air
Enough talk, if you people can not prosecute, stop disturbing our peace.
Masa arrest and prosecute them......you talk too much
If the money cannot be found or traced investigate and bring people to book. Enough with unnecessary counter allegations.We need actions.Mr Chairman,the talking is becoming too much!!!