We must line-up Akufo-Addo appointees for cocoa farmers to whip them over crisis — Adongo

The Majority Caucus in Parliament has called for strict sanctions against former appointees of the Akufo Addo administration, accusing them of gross mismanagement within the cocoa sector.

The demand comes as the government of President John Dramani Mahama rolls out reforms to stabilise cocoa production and restore financial discipline at the Ghana Cocoa Board.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, February 19, Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo, alleged that key logistical decisions taken under the previous administration worsened the challenges confronting COCOBOD.

He claimed that although 286,000 bales of jute sacks were available at the ports, only 91,000 were cleared, leaving a substantial quantity uncleared. He further alleged that shortly before leaving office, the outgoing administration authorised the procurement of an additional 80,000 bales of jute sacks at a cost of GH¢48 million.

Mr Adongo described the situation as reckless, arguing that such decisions drained resources that could have been directed toward supporting cocoa farmers. He maintained that the actions of former officials significantly contributed to the sector’s current strain and insisted that those responsible must be held accountable.

“When COCOBOD had 286,000 bales of jute sacks at the ports. They cleared only 91,000 and left the rest at the ports. Just a few days before they were leaving office, they contracted someone and paid GHC48 million to bring in 80,000 bales of jute sacks. These are reckless people.

“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 the lie many times, it becomes the truth,” he stated.