Accra, GNA - Purchases for the 1999/2000 cocoa season will cease at the close of business on Thursday, April 13, a statement from the Ghana Cocoa Board said on Wednesday.

The statement said the board would accept returns on declared purchases up to 1600 hours on Thursday, April 20.

This is intended to assist the Produce Buying Company and other licensed buying companies to obtain the final returns from their up-country stations.