Brong Ahafo launches anti-cocoa smuggling campaign

Nkrankwanta (Brong Ahafo) -- The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has instituted a probe into a recent media report of an alleged involvement of some security personnel in cocoa smuggling outside the country.

Brigadier George Ayiku, General Officer Commanding the Northern Command disclosed this on Tuesday at the launch of the Brong Ahafo Regional anti-cocoa smuggling campaign at Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa Ahenkro District.

He said the GAF was conducting investigations into the case and the appropriate actions would be taken against the personnel if found guilty. "Personnel found to be involved in the smuggling of cocoa will be dismissed from the service if the truth of the matter is established and will also be prosecuted at the law courts".

Brigadier Ayiku said the Army was aware of the good work of security personnel at the borders but there were "a few bad nuts" who were destroying the image of the profession and must be weeded out.

He urged the personnel to take advantage of the government's incentives package for those who could arrest smugglers and desist from conniving with the smugglers. The Commander advised the public to provide information about any personnel found aiding smugglers for their arrest and gave the assurance that their identities would be protected.

Ernest Akubuor Debrah, the Regional Minister, noted that cocoa as a major source of revenue for the nation over the years would continue to be the back bone of the economy in view of its contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), foreign exchange earnings and employment generation.

The government regularly reviews the producer price of the crop upwards and has available logistics for the mass spraying exercise of cocoa farms against pest and other diseases because of its immense contribution to the nation's economy, he added.

"Government has remained committed to enforcing the use of the Akuafo Cheque in the purchase of cocoa to protect farmers against unscrupulous buyers". The Regional Minister expressed regret that in spite of such efforts by the government the crop had continued to be smuggled across the borders to neighbouring countries.

The smuggling of cocoa, which has become a chronic problem with disastrous effects on the economy, has contributed to Ghana losing her enviable position as the world's largest producer of cocoa to Cote d'Ivoire in the 1970s, he said.

Debrah added that recent studies indicated that Ghana had lost her second place to Indonesia. The Regional Minister announced that the regional Security Council (REGSEC) was also putting up measures to check the smuggling of petrol, kerosene and other petroleum product to Cote d'Ivoire.

He warned that smuggling was an offence punishable by law and any one caught would be made to face the full wrath of the law. Debrah said the REGSEC was making arrangements to receive and care for all refugees who might find their way into the Dormaa District because of the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire.

He appealed to residents along the border to assist and direct refugees to the registration centres and also to report the presence and movement of strange persons in their communities to the security agencies.

Dr Kwame Addo-Kuffuor, Minister of Defence, who launched the programme, reiterated the adverse effects that the smuggling of cocoa across the borders had on the nation's economy.

The country has already lost its former glory in timber, mines and is now left with cocoa, which is gradually being smuggled into neighbouring countries. He reiterated that cocoa smuggling reduced Ghana's total output by as much as 60,000 metric tonnes and expected revenue in foreign exchange amounting to $62m.

He advised the people to stop the negative practice and help save the nation's limited foreign exchange earnings for development. This will also help the government to fulfil its promise of providing good roads, water, and health facilities to raise the living standards of the people, he said

Dr Addo-Kuffuor, who also acts as Minister of the Interior later presented 700 school uniforms, 240 notebooks, 400 exercise books and 1,550 pencils to support education in the district.

He promised to provide three pick up vehicles and three motorbikes to enable the district to fight effectively against smuggling. Sam Appah, Deputy Chief Executive of COCOBOD in charge of marketing announced that 242 billion cedis had been set aside to control pests and other cocoa diseases in all cocoa growing areas next year.

He added that 10m cedis had also been allocated to the COCOBOD education scholarship scheme for brilliant but needy children. Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, Omanhene of Dormaa Traditional Area, who presided, commended the government for increasing cocoa producer price three times since it assumed office and called for more increment to bridge the gap between Ghana and the neighbouring countries to prevent the smuggling of cocoa.