Prime News Ghana

Former COCOBOD boss dragged to court for causing financial loss to the state

By Justice Kofi Bimpeh
cocobod
Former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board, COCOBOD, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni
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Former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board, COCOBOD, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, will on March 23, 2018, face an Accra High Court for causing financial loss to the state.

Twenty-seven charges have been leveled against the former COCOBOD boss and one Seidu Agongo.

The case involving the two is said to be called on Friday, March 23, 2018, at the High Court.

In February 2017, the Economic and Organised Crimes Office, EOCO, froze the assets of Dr. Opuni as part of investigations into his tenure as CEO of COCOBOD.

Misappropriations at Public offices has been one of the major problems bedeviling growth in Ghana, funds meant for projects are used by public officials for their personal gains.

In view of this, President Akufo-Addo has set-up the office of the Special Prosecutor to handle cases relating to corruption in the country.

The step has been applauded by both regional and international community with the hope that the creation of the Office of the Special Prosecutor headed by Martin Amidu will clamp down on corruption in the country. 

According to President Akufo-Addo, “with the office of the Special Prosecutor now in place, we can expect more prosecutions for corruption in the coming months, and public officials, present, and past, should be on notice that they will be held accountable for their stewardship of our public finances.”

Dr. Opuni, appointed on November 30, 2013, to head COCOCBOD, is alleged to have mismanaged the cocoa sector during four-year tenure.

The former Chief Executive of the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority was relieved of his post on January 12, 2017, and appointed to Cocobod.

www.primenewsghana.com/ Ghana News