Board Chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Hackman Owusu Agyemang has denied claims by National Democratic Congress (NDC) communicator, Kwaku Boahen that he demanded a vehicle from COCOBOD before he ever works.
Kwaku Boahen’s allegations follow investigations by host of Adom FM’s “Dwaso Nsem” Morning show which revealed acts of corruption and negligence at COCOBOD.
Contributing on the matter, he alleged that the new chairman of COCOCBOD demanded a Toyota V8 vehicle from government before he discharges his duties as the chairman.
“The new COCOBOD chair is demanding a car and an office before he works. I thought he was the one complaining about Opuni’s salary and now you need V8 before you work” he said on “Dwaso Nsem” Monday.
According to the NDC communicator, negligence by officials of the company has led to a dip in the production of cocoa despite the huge amount of money these officers are given as benefits and emoluments.
And therefore could not fathom why Mr. Owusu Agyemang who is the chairman of the board should make such huge demands from government.
Listen to Kwaku Boahen’s claim
But debunking Kwaku Boahen’s claims, on the same show Thursday, Mr Owusu Agyemang said members of the NDC are only trying hard to tarnish his image since he raised concerns about the outrageous GH¢ 70,000 monthly salary for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni.
“I was a former minister during Kufour’s regime and I never stayed in any government’s bungalow or even demanded a car from government and so why should I demand for V8 before working for the country.
“I have my own cars and I’ve put in no request for COCOCOD to give me car to work. I am even working hard to make sure that salaries of top management of COCOBOD are slashed so we concentrate more on the work and not the money.
According to him, those piling attacks and unsubstantiated allegations against him do not have the muscles to shoulder defamation costs if they are found guilty citing instances where he has sued some of them and costs awarded but till date no dime has been paid.
“These small boys in NDC are only interested in tarnishing my image and I don’t want to drag them to court because these small boys who have defamed me, after taking them to court, I have even not received my damages and so they should be careful “ he noted.
Listen to Mr Owusu Agyemang
The former Housing Minister however declared government’s commitment to reviving the cocoa industry by increasing production.
Mr. Owusu-Agyemang takes over from the immediate-past Board Chairman of COCOBOD, Daniel Ohene Agyekum, who served as Ashanti Regional Minister and Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
The swearing ceremony come weeks after a probe into the activities of the former Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Dr. Stephen Frimpong over corruption allegations.
Dr. Opuni was on January 12, 2017, asked to leave office shortly after the new NPP government was inaugurated.