Ghanatodayonline.com News, Politics, Health, Education & More
Over the weekend, three large trucks carrying cocoa bags and timber were intercepted by the National Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce after the accused drivers tried to elude security by covering the cocoa bags with lumber.
One truck was first confiscated at Dormaa after a tip, according to Mr. Michael Paddy Kwesi Asumanu, the Bono Regional Administrator of COCOBOD.
He claimed that two further vehicles were intercepted at Nkrankwanta as a result of the Taskforce team, which included National Security Personnel, acting on routine surveillance.
One of the three drivers was detained on the spot, according to the Bono Regional Administrator, while the other two fled after asking to pray, Ark FM’s Kaakyire Kwasi Afari reported.
He suspected that the over 2,000 cocoa beans packaged in maize bags were being smuggled to neighbouring Burkina Faso or Togo for high purchase.
The trucks have been placed in the custody of the Bono Regional Police Headquarters in Sunyani pending investigation.
The first suspect has been granted bail.
Additionally, he told Kaakyire Kwasi Afari that the cocoa beans have been confiscated and are being held at the COCOBOD takeover centre in Kaase, Ashanti Region.
Mr. Michael Paddy Kwesi Asumanu described cocoa smugglers as nation wreckers highlighting their activities as unpatriotic.
The Bono Regional COCOBOD administrator highlighted the construction of cocoa roads, hospitals, and support for farmers as some of the corporate responsibilities undertaken by the Ghana COCOBOD.
He emphasized that, considering these responsibilities, it is inappropriate for farmers to smuggle cocoa to neighbouring countries out of greediness.
The administrator informed reporters that if cocoa smuggling continues, Ghana will suffer because the government and COCOBOD might not have enough money to support their projects and activities.
Michael Paddy Kwesi Asumanu warned farmers about the smuggling syndicate in keeping with the Ghana Cocoa Board’s goal to crack it down.
They have declared war on the smuggling of cocoa to neighboring countries, he told Kaakyire Kwasi Afari, adding that measures have also been made to deal with traffickers in the Bono region as a whole.
Michael Paddy Kwesi Asumanu urged the public and media to support the fight against smuggling by using the “See something Say something” strategy to submit information.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com\Kaakyire Kwasi Afari
