The Minority in Parliament has demanded that the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Joseph Boahen Aidoo, resign immediately.
According to the Minority, Aidoo mishandled the cocoa sector, worsening the condition of cocoa farmers. They contend that he is no longer qualified to serve as CEO.
Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson told media in the Ashanti Region that the cocoa business is collapsing despite a declaration of a 68 percent rise in producer prices.
“Clearly, something is amiss at COCOBOD because we are seeing the production of cocoa coming down to the lowest in the last fifteen years and we have also seen them recording massive losses since 2017. Last year, according to their own audit report, we declared a loss of GH¢2.4 billion in one year and so I don’t see why the CEO should be in office despite these happenings.”
Aidoo has been accused of ineptitude and corruption by the Minority. He is accused of failing to execute required changes to enhance the cocoa sector.
The Minority has also accused the government of taking advantage of cocoa farmers by raising the price of a bag of cocoa to GHC1,300.
The Minority Caucus believes that cocoa producers should have received at least GHC2,500 each bag.
Eric Opoku, the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs Committee, criticized the government for paying cocoa producers “peanuts” on Eyewitness News.
He voiced concern over the price paid to cocoa producers, emphasizing that this season is an excellent year for cocoa farmers to profit from their crops.
