While the Director of Finance at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Peter Osei Amoako together with other witnesses claimed that Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) uses a period of two years to test agrochemicals, a letter emanating from the institute say such protocol does not exist.

According to the letter signed one  Rev. E. K. O. Osei, a deputy Executive Director at CRIG,  scientists at CRIG do not have any binding protocols on testing of agrochemicals, but review the procedure as and when it is required to do so.

However,  Mr Amoako instead that in his 16 years work experience with COCOBOD, scientists at CRIG follows a laid down two years testing procedure to confirm the potency of agrochemicals before crrtifcate are issued. 

This answer called for Nutifafa Nutsukpui lawyer for Siedu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited (second and third accused) ftoollowed up question to Mr Amoako,  six Prosecution Witness(PW6), to pin point where exactly in a letter he read to the court say there exist any such testing protocol.

Q. Sir on 27 Nov 2015 you told this honourable that the scientists at CRIG have always made COCOBOD aware that fertilisers were required to be tested for a minimum of two years, is that correct sir?

A. Yes

Q. Now, sir by your position as the director of finance are you part of the management at COCOBOD?

 A. My lord have the Chief Executive and his three deputies. No.

Q. Are you aware that in 2017, management investigated matters to do with testing of agrochemicals at CRIG?

A. Yes my lord.

Q. And, as part of that process of investigation, management sent query to the scientists at CRIG trying to find out what the testing protocols were, are you aware sir?

A. No

Q. Kindly take a look at page 70 of exhibit H.  You would find A letter there signed by the Deputy Chief Executive A&QC of COCOBOD addressed to one Andrew Akrofi. Is that correct sir?

A. My lord, that is correct but I have something to say. I believe he can …I don’t have full knowledge of this report and to open a full page for me to answer questions on it.

Judge: …you are a witness and you are to answers posed to you.Q. Read the very two short paragraphs to the honourable court?A. Management of the Ghana Cocobod found out that some of the trials did not followed up to the laid  down procedure.  … Useful Company 2013.

Q. Sir kindly read page 71. Who is that addressed to sir? 

A…

Q. Who signed it please?A. Andrew Yaw AkorfoQ. Now, sir read the first three paragraphs on page 71?

A. I acknowledged your receipt of query on agrochemicals.  The query indicated after review trial of ….for  perusal

Q. Kindly go to page 73, please confirm that the reference number of the letter found there is the same as found on page 71 on exhibit H.

A. Yes 

Q. Who signed the letter on page 73?

A. Rev. E. K. O. Osei

Q. In what capacity did he signed that letter?

A. In his capacity as a deputy director of CRIG.

Q. Kindly read that letter?

A. There are not laid down procedures ….of such reports…reviewed from time to time..

Q. Sir that appear on CRIG head letter?

A. Yes

Q. And it is an official communication?

 A. Yes

Q. And it is an official cimmunication of crig under the hand of deputy Executive Director.

 A. Yes

Q. This is true, confirming that it had no laid down protocol or procedure for testing …I am putring that to you?

A. My lord i made a statement that there are testing protocol ranging from a minimum of 2 years, so far what I have read from this report I haven’t seen disputing the minimum trial crig goes  with its minimum trial

Q. But sir but you did read that there are no laid down protocols from that letter, isn’t it?

A. no

Q. Scientists at CRIG recommend Agrochemicals as and when they seem fit, am putting that you?

A. My lord that is not what I know.

Q. Sir by March 2018, you have been confirmed as the Director of Finance,  that is true?

A. Yes

Q. And in March 2018, COCOBOD sought approval from PPA to procure certain Agrochemicals are you aware sir?

A. I am not sure, but I am sure we procured some drugs

Q. What is the date on the A. March 5, 2018Q. This is letter from COCOBOD seeking to procure those products listed in exhibit 32?

A. Yes

Q. Please who signed exhibit 32?

A. The Chief Executive

Q. Do you recall whether  you had received PPA approval to procure these chemicals? 

A. My lord, I cannot tell as I sit here.

Q. Kindly give him exhibit 27A. What you have in your hand is a letter from PPA dated April 5, 2018?

A. Yes my lord

Q. PPA granted COCOBOD approval to procure the chemicals listed in exhibit 27a.

A. Yes, my lord.

Q. Sir , among the products listed are fertilisers, is that correct?

A. Yes, my lord.

Q. The second product on that table, is Omnifet fertiliser is that also correct?

A. Yes, lord.

Q. And, the fifth item is Cocoa Nti

A. Yes, my lord.  

Q. Can you confirmed to this court whether COCOBOD in fact procured that products? 

A. My lord i cannot confirmed as I sit here.

Q. You are the Director of Finance, you are the custodian of finance and procurement of COCOBOD?

A. Yes, my lord.

Q. From procurement to payment, have you  not ever seen Cocoa Nti and Onmifest fertilisers been bought by COCOBOD in 2018?

A. I have seen Omnifest fertilisers being bought and as you are referring to 2018.

More to come