NDC should not politicise mass cocoa exercise- Party activist

Agona Nsaba, (C/R) July 26 GNA- Mr Emmanuel Tetteh-Danyo, Agona East Constituency Organiser of the National Democratic Congress, has cautioned District Chief Executives (DCEs) and party functionaries to desist from sacking and dissolving cocoa spraying gangs in order to ensure the smooth running of the exercise. He said the exercise, which was introduced by the previous government was aimed at enhancing cocoa production and create job opportunities for the youth.

Mr Tetteh-Danyo was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Agona Nsaba, in the Central Region, in reaction to the dissolution and dismissal of some gangs, in Agona East District, including the district supervisor of the programme. Mr Tetteh-Danyo said cocoa was the back bone of the nation's economy and therefore any attempt to politicise the gangs could affect the production of the cash crop. Mr Tetteh-Danyo who is also the Farmers representative of the Agona East District Assembly, expressed regret that the removal of trained and experienced gangs and supervisors was hindering the progress of the programme.

He said although there were bad nuts among the spraying gangs, those who could sustain the exercise for a better Ghana should be retained. Mr Tetteh-Danyo said there was the need for government to provide jobs for the supporters of the party especially the youth, but this should be done cautiously to avoid anarchy. He noted that players in the agricultural sector, which include farmers and fishermen, do not belong to one particular political party and so politics should not be extended to their activities. Mr Tetteh-Danyo, who is also the government-appointee of the assembly, urged the DCEs, party functionaries and other government officials to do things that would help to sustain the mass cocoa spraying exercise.