The Management of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has clarified that it did not abruptly sack enumerators contracted by the company as being carried out there and has urged the public to disregard such allegations.
The Management of COCOBOD took notice of an article in the Monday, 22nd May 2023 edition of the Anchor newspaper which sought to link an official notice from COCOBOD to Enumerators about their contract to the country’s IMF deal and funding challenges.
In a statement issued by the Public Affairs Department of COCOBOD, the Board clarified the situation and provided accurate information regarding the matter.
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According to COCOBOD, the contract staff hired as Enumerators were issued six-month contracts and not permanent employment, adding that this was made known to them at the time of their recruitment.
It added that their specific role was the collection of data and registration onto the Cocoa Management System (CMS).
In the course of the exercise, COCOBOD explained that some Enumerators even had their contracts extended and some were made to help with the first phase of the onboarding of farmers onto the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme (CFPS).
COCOBOD noted that the enumeration and the registration of cocoa farmers for the CMS and the onboarding onto the first phase of the CFPS were successfully completed on 15th May 2023.
However, it said the letter from COCOBOD to all Enumerators was to serve as the official two-week notice of the end of contracts; which was a standard practice and must not be misconstrued.
“We find the claim made by The Anchor newspaper that “information concerning this matter is sketchy”, rather unfortunate, particularly, when the newspaper made no attempt whatsoever to reach COCOBOD for any information or clarification,” COCOBOD stated.
It continued that,”The point must be reiterated that prior to the notice of the end of contract, COCOBOD had informed and explained to the contract staff concerned, to make them sufficiently aware of the matter. There was no need, therefore, to stir a storm out of a teacup.
We advise the public to disregard the content of the article which is not only speculative but also misleading and avoidable.”
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori