Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt has expressed grave concern over the state of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), describing recent revelations about its finances as deeply troubling. In a recent media briefing, Pratt shared his dismay, saying the disclosures left him "very, very depressed" and alarmed about the country's broader economic outlook.
Reacting to a media briefing by COCOBOD spokesperson Randy Abbey, Pratt highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that COCOBOD's liabilities now exceed its total assets. "It’s a bankrupt company," he said during a panel discussion on Metro TV. "The mess is huge. It’s so, so huge."
Pratt also reflected on his previous warnings, noting that the latest developments vindicated his earlier concerns regarding the appointment of the board's chief executive. "Yesterday, I felt right vindicated," Pratt remarked, recalling that he had questioned the heavy burden the role would carry. "Somebody must work for Ghana, but the burden is heavy."
A significant concern for Pratt is the sharp decline in cocoa production, which he described as alarming. "Over the last three years or so, we’ve lost 50 percent of production. That’s massive," he said, attributing the drop to the devastating effects of illegal mining (galamsey) and the widespread swollen shoot disease.
He also criticized COCOBOD for its reckless procurement practices, citing the importation of cocoa sacks that were abandoned at the ports. "That’s clearly a case of causing financial loss," he said, adding that the situation is "really, really terrible."
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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