The National Executive Council (NEC) of Kuapa Kooko Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Union categorically denied any outstanding debts to farmers, as alleged by a self-proclaimed group of individuals claiming to be members of the Kuapa Kooko Cooperative.
Last week, these individuals asserted that the farmers union owed them an amount of GHc2,100,000, which they claimed was a top-up payment for over 100,000 farmers.
According to their allegations, this sum, equivalent to 15,000 cocoa bags at a rate of GHc140 per bag, has remained unpaid since the previous year, 2022.
They further contended that farmers from other cocoa-purchasing companies had already received their top-up funds, while they had not received a single penny.
In response to these claims, Mr James Kwarteng, a member of the NEC and Vice President of the Kuapa Kooko Cooperative Cocoa Farmers Union, vehemently refuted the allegations in an interview with Oyerepa News. He stated unequivocally that the firm does not owe any of its registered or recognized farmers.
“None of our farmers has reported to us, the 7-member committee of the National Executive Council (NEC), that Kuapa Kooko owes them. We are unaware of the origin of these baseless allegations made by unknown farmers.
Nevertheless, if there are indeed farmers who have such grievances, we kindly request them to come forward and inform us. The NEC is committed to addressing any challenges they may be facing.”
The managing director of Kuapa Kokoo Limited, Mr Emmanuel Arthur, vehemently dismissed the claims, asserting that his organization does not offer any form of financial assistance known as a “top-up” for farmers.
“In Kuapa Kokoo, we do not provide any funds referred to as a top-up. Similarly, Cocobod does not offer any such financial support.
If any farmer believes that Kuapa owes them money, they should present concrete evidence in the form of documents for further investigation. However, based on the documents I currently possess as the managing director, the company does not owe any farmer the amount they have quoted.”
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com
