PRESS RELEASE GHANA COCOA BOARD —_—DATE. ° FEBRUARY, 2017 All Media Houses NO COCOBOD STAFF HAS BEEN DISMISSED The attention of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has been drawn to a statement made yesterday at the press conference of the Minority in Parliament during what it calls “77ue” . state of the nation adaress indicating that One Hundred and Ten (110) middle level staft of COCOBOD in lawful employment have been dismissed for no apparent reason, It is unfortunate that such an assertion could not be verified by the Minority before making the statement. The management of Ghana Cocoa Board wishes to bring to the attention of its stakeholders, staff and in fact all Ghanaians that COCOBOD has not dismissed any staff over the past two months upon the assumption of the new management and does not intend to dismiss any staff on frivolous reasons. COCOBOD has long tested policies that guide the employment and dismissal of its staff but not on political motivation or colouration. The Board, therefore, calls on all well-meaning Ghanaians to dismiss the statement outright as it has no basis whatsoever. It will, however, be recalled that Eleven (11) top officials of COCOBOD were asked to proceed on their accumulated leave. The staff involved still remain employees of COCOBOD and cannot be said to have had their appointments terminated. The statement made by the Minority in Parliament therefore seeks to create fear and panic ‘among staff and stakeholders. COCOBOD wishes to inform all staff to remain calm as their employment and well-being are of paramount concem to management. ISSUED BY: PUBLIC AFFAIRS