The Ghana COCOBOD has described as “misinformation” the media reports on a leaked official letter from the board approving the importation of 2,500 metric tonnes of cocoa beans from neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria. COCOBOD, in a statement dated Sunday, February 4, said such an arrangement has existed since November 2001, which spans over two decades.
The official letter, as sighted by Ahotor news which has since gone viral, approved the request of Afrotropic Cocoa Processing Company Limited to import 2,500 metric tonnes of the beans from Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria.
A situation that generated widespread backlash and criticism from the public and stakeholders. They expressed worry as the leading exporter of the cash crop was suddenly turning into an importer.
To clarify the ‘misinterpretation the Public Relation Officer for COCOBOD Fiifi Boafo said the practice is nothing new.
He said, all processing companies in Ghana established post-November 2001 are permitted by law to import cocoa beans for processing in Ghana.
He stated that it is an industry practice that has existed for over 20 years to allow factories to import from other countries, including Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria, and Ecuador.
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He however admits Ghana’s cocoa sector has been impacted negatively due to challenges such as Galamsey.
Story by Osei Akoto(Teacher Kojo) #Ahotoronline.com
