The Public Relations Officer of COCOBOD, Jerome K. Sam, has strongly refuted public criticism directed at the organisation’s Chief Executive, Randy Abbey, over his trip to the United States for the FIFA World Cup draw, a trip that coincided with Ghana’s National Farmers’ Day celebration.
In recent days, sections of the public have accused the COCOBOD CEO of abandoning his duties by being outside the country at a time reserved for honouring Ghanaian farmers. But according to the PRO, such claims stem from misinformation and a misunderstanding of institutional responsibilities.
Speaking in an official clarification, Mr Sam explained that Mr Abbey was formally on leave, and therefore free to undertake personal engagements, including international travel.
“Mr Abbey is on leave. He is entitled to his own personal schedules during that period,” he said. “He did not snub Farmers’ Day. The narrative circulating is simply a case of people not understanding how these state institutions work.”
Mr Sam emphasized that Farmers’ Day is not organised by COCOBOD, but rather by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
“Lack of knowledge, my people perish,” he remarked pointedly. “People are claiming he abandoned the event, but the truth is simple: the National Farmers’ Day celebration is solely the mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture. COCOBOD is not under the Ministry of Agriculture; it is under the Ministry of Finance.”
He stressed that the CEO’s absence did not stop COCOBOD from playing its traditional supporting role at the event.
“If COCOBOD had been absent, then people could say he abandoned farmers. But we were fully represented, and for the first time in Ghana’s history, under Mr Abbey’s supervision, the award winners received mini tractors, cash support, and farm inputs. That has never happened before,” Mr Sam stated.
He added that the provision of tractors and additional support items reflected a renewed commitment to empowering farmers with tools for long-term productivity, rather than symbolic awards.
The PRO also highlighted Mr Abbey’s record in office, pointing to measurable improvements in the cocoa sector.
“Under his leadership, the projected national cocoa output increased from 550,000 metric tonnes to about 603,000 metric tonnes. That is an addition of over 53,000 metric tonnes,” he noted.
He concluded that these accomplishments demonstrate commitment, not neglect.
“A leader who doesn’t care about farmers does not break historic output records or introduce unprecedented farmer incentives,” Mr Sam argued.
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