In a shocking turn of events, managers at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have been accused of hastily processing a payment of US$13 million for fertilizers in a single day. This swift transaction has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns about the transparency and accountability of the organization.

According to reports, the payment was made to Awo Henewah Limited, a company that had been contracted to supply fertilizers to COCOBOD. The payment was allegedly authorized by the newly appointed Director of Procurement, Stephen Badu, on his first day in office.

This rapid payment has been described as unusual and has raised suspicions about the motivations behind it. Insiders claim that the payment was made without following the proper procedures and protocols, which has sparked concerns about the potential for corruption and mismanagement.

The payment is also said to have been made despite a directive from the Transition Team of President-elect John Dramani Mahama, which instructed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to suspend all recruitments and payments until further notice.

Despite this directive, COCOBOD's management appears to have ignored it and proceeded with the payment. This has led to accusations that the management is attempting to rush through last-minute payments and recruitments before the new administration takes office.

The payment has also been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability. Insiders claim that the payment was made without proper documentation and that the necessary checks and balances were not followed.

The Ghana Cocoa Board is a critical institution in Ghana's economy, responsible for regulating the cocoa industry and ensuring that cocoa farmers receive fair prices for their produce. However, the organization has been plagued by allegations of corruption and mismanagement in recent years.

The latest allegations of a hasty payment of US$13 million for fertilizers have only added to the concerns about the organization's transparency and accountability. The new administration will need to take swift action to address these concerns and restore trust in the organization.

As the investigation into the payment continues, it remains to be seen what consequences will follow for those involved. However, one thing is clear: the Ghana Cocoa Board needs to undergo a thorough overhaul to restore transparency, accountability, and trust in the organization.
Source: HERALD