The ongoing disaster in Ghana’s cocoa modernization has been connected, partially, to GH₵23 billion value of cocoa roads contracts awarded between 2023 and 2024 underneath the former NPP organization, consistent with Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister for Roads and Highways.

Speaking at the ground of Parliament, Agbodza mentioned the contracts distracted COCOBOD from its core mandate of cocoa manufacturing, resulting in not on time bills to farmers and disrupting the modernization.

“The entire cocoa road program has been so badly handled that I consider that as one of the biggest problems COCOBOD is having right now,” he mentioned.

“COCOBOD lost focus. They were not concentrating on cocoa production. They were focused on procurement. That is why President Mahama directed that COCOBOD should no longer indulge in cocoa roads but rather focus on production and marketing so that our farmers get the best value for their labour.”

According to Agbodza, the mismanagement of cocoa street tasks has had vital unwanted effects at the modernization, together with: critical disruption to building actions, deterioration of street infrastructure, disruption of the cocoa price chain and detrimental affect on farmer livelihoods

He defined that many cocoa street tasks had been suspended for investigation earlier than crowning glory, and by the point audits had been concluded, many had deteriorated additional, compounding the modernization’s demanding situations.

“Funding shortfalls at COCOBOD ended in not on time bills, resulting in mounting arrears. The govt asked an audit, overview, and restructuring of the cocoa street venture.

“An meantime document was once issued, and related companies were directed to check all the program and provide a report back to govt for motion,” he mentioned.

Agbodza reiterated that the suspension and mismanagement of the cocoa street program had been primary contributing elements to the present disaster, highlighting the will for COCOBOD to go back to its number one function of manufacturing and founder.

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