In a recent court testimony, Dr. Francis Baah, a former Executive Director of Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), shed light on the process of contract signing at the board. His testimony provided insight into the authority vested in Chief Executives to sign contracts on behalf of the board, based on his experience working with two Chief Executives of COCOBOD.
Dr. Baah's testimony came as part of the trial involving Dr. Stephen Opuni, a former Chief Executive of COCOBOD, and Mr. Seidu Agongo, a businessman. The charges they face include defrauding by false pretences, willfully causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, and corruption by a public officer in contravention of the Public Procurement Act. Both individuals have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are currently on bail.
During the cross-examination, Dr. Baah emphasized that the authority for Chief Executives to sign contracts on behalf of COCOBOD does not necessarily stem from their technical expertise in the subject matter. He affirmed that the present Chief Executive, Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, and Dr. Opuni would not have signed on behalf of COCOBOD if they did not have the required authority.
Furthermore, Dr. Baah addressed questions regarding the efficacy assessment of lithovit fertilizer, stating his lack of awareness of the Dr. Yaw Adu Ampomah Committee’s report on the investigation and testing efficacy of the fertilizer. He also clarified that during his tenure as the head of CHED, Lithovit was one of the liquid fertilizers preferred by farmers, and its efficacy assessment was based on field reports from visits to farmers.
In response to queries about Dr. Ampomah's tenure, Dr. Baah confirmed that Dr. Ampomah was at post as Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control during his time in office. However, he expressed uncertainty regarding specific dates related to Dr. Ampomah's retirement and subsequent appointments.
Dr. Baah also stated that he was not aware of any meetings between Dr. Ampomah and Dr. Opuni regarding the shortening of the testing period for agrochemicals and fertilizers. Additionally, he denied knowledge of Mr. Agongo presenting lithovit fertilizer to COCOBOD for subsequent testing by CRIG.
The testimony provided valuable insights into the processes and decision-making within COCOBOD, shedding light on the roles and responsibilities of key individuals involved in contract signing and efficacy assessment of agricultural products.
As the trial continues, Dr. Baah's testimony serves as a significant contribution to the proceedings, offering clarity on the inner workings of COCOBOD during the period in question. It underscores the importance of understanding the decision-making framework within governmental organizations and the accountability of key officials in upholding procurement and testing standards.
The court proceedings will continue to unravel more details, and Dr. Baah's testimony stands as a crucial piece in the intricate puzzle being pieced together in the pursuit of justice and transparency.
-source GNA | curated by Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
