DCE urges COCOBOD to apply sanctions against recalcitrant LBCs

Obogu (Ash), Oct.21, GNA - Mr. De-graft Forkuo, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Asante Akim South, has called on COCOBOD to apply sanctions against Licence Buying Companies (LBCs) that transport ungraded and unsealed cocoa across districts and regional boundaries. He said the application of recommended sanctions as stipulated in the Ghana Cocoa Board Law 1984 could help reduce the practtice which he said was rife in the district and also inject some sanity in the cocoa sector. The DCE expressed worry about the purchasing of cocoa in the district by LBCs from adjoining districts, saying the practice if not checked could ruin the district's chances of benefiting from COCOBOD's upgrading of cocoa roads.

Mr. Forkuo said this during a meeting with executives of the district branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) at Obogu near Juaso.

He entreated them to liaise with the assembly to curb the practice by asking their members to report recalcitrant buying companies to the appropriate authorities for the necessary action. He reminded them of their responsibility to ensure safety on the roads and charged them to embark on road safety campaigns, adding that the assembly would support such laudable initiatives. The DCE also urged them to ensure strict enforcement of the union's rules and regulations to instil discipline in their drivers, thereby reducing road accidents.

He disclosed that plans were underway to construct a lorry park at the Juaso Junction and called for the union's support to make the project successful.

Mr. Kwadwo Boye, Vice Chairman of the union, appealed to the DCE to rehabilitate the Obogu lorry park as well as the Juaso-Obogu road which he said were in poor conditions. He expressed concern about the delay in the issuance of car stickers by the assembly, compelling some drivers to buy that of other assemblies. 21 Oct 09