The President, Mr. Solomon Andam is urging the Cocobod to help avert the impending consequences that will befall the Ghanaian cocoa sector should the matter not be treated with proactive measures.
According to the President who spoke to Obuoba FM, the Cocobod cannot continue to rely on the Prison inmates as the carriers association has refused to go back to work. He stated that, because the inmates are yet to experience such conditions of work, most of them would fall sick, transportation, feeding which will automatically become a cost of the government.
“They can’t continue to rely on the Prison in-mates, they are new to this. The government will at the end of the day provide for their transportation, feeding which will be the cost of the Cocobod, so why not sit down and negotiate with the carriers association instead, pay them the 20 pesewas increment they want and bring them back to work”?
He revealed that, some members of the association made it known that, during the era of ex Cocobod CEO, Dr. Opuni was providing a transport relief in and out for them but since he left they are providing everything for themselves.
Moving further, he advocated for the Cocobod to go back to the table and negotiate with the association to address their concerns. He is of the opinion that, the Cocobod must show more commitment and address the issue of the interest of the country is paradigm to the government.
“ They are not asking for much. Its just 20 pesewas. They should talk to them in soberness, address their concerns and bring them back to work if Ghana is important to them.
The work is all burdened on the shoulders of Cocoa Farmers, cocoa Carriers and the cocoa produce buying companies yet they do not respect and appreciate us. I beg them; they should be committed to address the issues. He said.
Concluding on his assertions, he added that there is no money for cocoa produce buying companies to purchase from the farmers. According to him, government must wholeheartedly address the general issues surrounding the cocoa sector
