The Best Cocoa Farmers Association (BECOFA) of the Western South Cocoa Region has commended the immediate past Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Joseph Boahen-Aidoo, for his outstanding performance in the promotion of the cocoa business during his tenure of office.
The BECOFA also described Joseph Boahen-Aidoo as affable, respectful, and a farmer-friendly CEO who discharged his mandate productively.
According to BECOFA, it is therefore untrue certain allegations levelled against Joseph Boahen-Aidoo in some media outlets by a certain group.
According to BECOFA, "We have come across a very unfortunate publication on Ghanaweb from Mr. Stephenson Anane Boateng, the President of an association that calls itself - Ghana National Association of Cocoa Farmers."
"In the said publication, he erroneously, falsely, and maliciously described the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Hon. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, as disrespectful and arrogant and further created an impression that his opinion and statement represent the good cocoa farmers of this country."
"He may have his personal issues with the former Chief Executive Officer and may want to paint him black using the name of the good cocoa farmers of this country, which is unethical, unacceptable, and shameful, to say the least," it said.
According to the statement, BECOFA recognizes that the cocoa industry is awash with numerous challenges and cocoa farmers are expecting much from the new Chief Executive Officer to help find solutions to them and ameliorate their struggles.
"As human as we are, he may have his own imperfections, but it is completely false for any well-meaning cocoa farmer or association leader who is indeed having a productive cocoa farm to describe such an affable gentleman as arrogant and disrespectful."
The statement said BECOFA has worked with the CEO for the past eight years and can vouch for his meekness, and respect for cocoa farmers of all classes, and the many stakeholders he worked with.
BECOFA said the outgoing CEO took time off his busy schedule to meet recognized cocoa farmers associations' leaders on countless occasions to discuss the challenges facing the industry and sought their input to revert it.
"There is no denying the fact that he was a field marshal who crisscrossed the entire cocoa regions and districts to interact with cocoa farmers in their farms and also during durbars or rallies and spent several hours explaining the agronomy of cocoa through to marketing of the beans on the international market."