COCOBOD management urged to ignore GAWU, ICU’s hatred for CEO

Dr. Stephen Opuni, former CEO of COCOBOD
Dr. Stephen Opuni
Dr. Stephen Opuni

The leadership of Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) and the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has been accused of making public, its hatred against Dr. Stephen Opuni by putting out false stories against him.

The two unions in a joint statement called on government to investigate management of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) over alleged corrupt practices.

They specifically cited Dr. Opuni, who is the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, for financial malpractice.

But constituency chairman of NDC in the Ayawaso Central, Ebenezer Arkutu has asked management of COCOBOD “not to dignify” the leadership of the unions with a response.

“All these talks of corruption and mismanagement of COCOBOD by Dr. Stephen Opuni are clearly to tarnish his reputation.
“It is of public knowledge that the leaders of GAWU and ICU, have personal hatred for Dr. Stephen Opuni – for which they have been seeking his removal,” he told tv3network.com.

Cocoa farmer

He believes GAWU and ICU are prosecuting their agenda with the support of “key NPP leaders and misguided NDC or government activists”.

Mr. Arkutu would rather want COCOBOD to focus on its agenda of changing lives of cocoa farmers and transforming their communities.

“Dr. Stephen Opuni’s achievements at COCOBOD are one of the many reasons why President John Dramani Mahama will be retained for his second term in office,” he asserted.

“Never again will the NDC as a party leave its successful appointees to unwarranted media attacks and vile criticism unprotected and undefended,” he vowed.

He touched on the decision by COCOBOD workers to break away from GAWU and ICU.

“To this end, workers of COCOBOD decided to do that which is right and proper by exercising their constitutional right to form and belong to a Union according to their individual and collective conscience.

“This has nothing to do with Dr. Stephen Opuni,” Arkutu defended.

 

Story by Isaac Essel | tv3network.com | Ghana

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