Gov’t asked to probe irregularities at COCOBOD

The Bureau for Internal Affairs (BIA), a centre for information gathering on public concerns, has called on the government to investigate alleged corrupt practices involving the operations of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

Investigations by BIA unveiled the alleged irregularities at the two holding cocoa bulk sheds of COCOBOD, which stores naked beans in Takoradi.

A statement issued by Mr Godfred Nkrumah, Coordinating Director of the Bureau said there have been series of report of thousands of bag of cocoa missing in the storage facilities, being managed by Unicontrol Commodities, a company from The Netherlands.

The company has been recording losses of beans in its custody since 2000 without formal investigations from Management.

Unicontrol, which started operations in the country under the Free Zone Enclave, has not been asked by Management to pay for the losses, they claim to record after shipment, although the Company rent its sheds based on the quantity of cocoa they hold at any point in time.

BIA claimed that Management arbitrarily abrogated a contract with State Insurance Company, the main insurer of Ghana cocoa exports and brought on board foreign insurance companies.

BIA also alleged that COCOBOD is involved in the improper award of contracts, and purchasing, adding that investigations showed that  the estimated cost of rehabilitation of the official residence of the Managing Director was unilaterally changed from GH¢ 90,000 to GH¢270,000 after the contract had been bided for .

Personnel at the London office of the COCOBOD, who go on postings for four years, are also paid outrageous sums of money, which are not backed by any policy.

The Bureau claimed that more than 60,000 bags of cocoa beans delivered to local industries cannot be accounted for.

The statement noted that the administrative lapses in COCOBOD were  artificially created to siphon state funds into individual pockets.

Unfortunately workers who try to blow the whistle are being intimated through unfair transfers, denial of promotions and threats of dismissal.

BIA is therefore calling on President John Dramani Mahama to set up a probe to unravel the irregularities.

The Bureau aimed at bridging the communication gap between the public and the authorities on issues negatively affecting the nation.

Source: GNA