Workers of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), are expected to address the media on happenings in the industry today at their head office, i Accra, following the removal of their Chief Executive, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, a source has hinted The Herald.
The workers, who this paper is reliably informed, will be drawn from parts of the country, will be seeking to debunk several accusations and misrepresentations in the media by some "self-seeking individuals" within the sector.
This paper's source, who expressed total surprise about the various discussions and publications like one in the Monday January 16, 2017, edition of the Daily Guide captioned; "Cocoa Workers Want Opuni Investigated" said to have come from Unionized Workers in the industry, will also be addressed today.
The Herald's information is that, the General Secretary of the industry and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), Solomon Kotei and General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Kingsley Nkansah,are behind these accusations against Dr. Opuni and the negative publications attributed to the CCOOBOD workers.
The two are being accused of pushing the agenda to be recognized by the Nana Addo-led administration.
Insiders told The herald that, on Monday, Mr Kotei, stormed the head office of COCOBOD, boasting that his government has come to power.
Mr. Kotei, is said to be interested in succeeding Dr. Opuni, as chief executive.
His interest in the COCOBOD job, according to information is not being hidden because, he recently confirmed it in an interview with Kanda-based 3FM.
He is reported to have said, he won't reject the offer, if he is appointed, saying the workers unions will prefer someone 'who has risen through the ranks in the industry to be the next CEO.
The news report said, Mr. Kptei, noted that he would need to consult with his union, the ICU before agreeing. "Well if that offer comes, I'm with an institution so will need to consult with the leadership. We have heard a lot of names so we don't want to pre-elect."
Last week Friday, the government issued a statement sacking the CEO of COCOBOD after heading that institution from 2013. His letter which was leaked to the media was described by former diplomat, K.B. Asante as harsh.
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