COCOBOD workers affirm support for Opuni after ICU demo

COCOBOD workers have distanced themselves from Thursday’s demonstration that urged President Mahama to remove their Chief Executive Officer, Dr Stephen Opuni from office.

Staff of COCOBOD insist inscriptions on the placards wield by the protestors were not authored by them, and therefore, urged the public to treat it with the contempt it deserves.

The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) yesterday in protest called for the immediate removal of Dr Opuni from office.

The workers, clad in red garments labeled Dr Opuni as a non-performing asset, and thus, urged the president to dismiss him from office.

Some of the messages on the placards read: "Corruption at COCOBOD", "Dr Opuni stop destroying COCOBOD", "Sharp decline of cocoa industry under Dr Opuni's tenure."

But the workers in a statement issued on Friday unanimously declared their unflinching support for their embattled chief executive officer.

Below is the full statement of the workers

We are here today as workers of COCOBOD (CMC, QCC, CHED and COCOBOD) to clarify events emanating from the 2016 May Day celebration here in Takoradi at the Jubilee Park.

It has been alleged that some of the inscriptions on the placard were visibly seen and read as, “Dr. Opuni go”, “COCOBOD under incompetent Management,” “Dr. Opuni is Corrupt” and many others.

We are by this press release stating it categorically clear that those placards with the afore-mentioned inscriptions were not prepared by COCOBOD workers and were not displayed by COCOBOD workers. It is therefore not the true reflection of the position of COCOBOD workers.

The said placards were rather carried by workers of other institutions other than COCOBOD workers who may be sympathizers of ICU or GAWU.

These placards, we strongly believe were prepared by the detractors who are sympathizers of the two Unions (ICU and GAWU) who are confused about COCOBOD union formation.

Workers of COCOBOD wish to use this medium to put it on record that we are comfortable and happy with the interventions of COCOBOD led by Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni.

Some of these interventions include but not limited to the following:

1. Employer-Employee relationship has improved tremendously.

2. Employee’s welfare is now at the heart of current Management.

3. Embargo on promotions and other privileges has since been lifted by Dr. Opuni within three (3) months of office.

4. Welfare of cocoa Dockers has also been enhanced greatly in provision of transport to and from work and ensuring full payment of social security of all employees of labour companies.

5. Staff Home Ownership Scheme Loan has also received greater attention.

6. Free and timely distribution of fertilizers and other chemicals to cocoa farmers instead of subsidizing previously (benefit to farmers)

7. Greater improvement in construction of cocoa roads in cocoa growing areas across the country. (Corporate Social Responsibilities).

8. Involvement of farmers in the committee of COCOBOD scholarship scheme.

Following from all these, it is clear that detractors of COCOBOD “ICU” and “GAWU” are the ones attempting to portray this falsehood. It would therefore be unfair to associate these inscriptions to workers of COCOBOD.

By this, we are appealing to the President of Ghana (H.E. John Dramani Mahama) to maintain our savior (Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni) to continue with the better COCOBOD better Ghana Agenda that he is pursuing for better standard of living for players in the cocoa industry.

Long live COCOBOD, long live Dr. Opuni, and long live Ghana.

Thank You.

SIGNED

Alex Owusu Adjei

(Ag. National Chairman-CMC)