COCOBOD saga: NPP diverting attention from Ayisi Boateng’s guff – Amaliba

A member of the National Democratic Congress legal team, Abraham Amaliba, is accusing the COCOBOD CEO of plotting the Bole guest house saga, roping in  Mahama to divert attention from troubling issues that are giving government a bad press.

Lawyer Amaliba cited for instance the ‘divisive’ comments by Ghana High Commissioner to South Africa, Ayisi Boateng that he will prioritise the needs of New Patriotic Party (NPP) members as a High Commissioner over any other Ghanaian.

“Anytime this government is under pressure, they throw out something to muddy the waters. This week, this government has come under intense pressure from the Ayisi Boateng comments and so they decided to throw a hoax story to cover up”, the NDC man told TV3 New Day on Friday.

The CEO of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo had alleged that a guest house in Bole funded by COCOBOD for the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana Research Station Guest at Bole, former President Mahama’s hometown, was constructed through the influence of the latter, for his personal comfort while in office.

The claim that former President John Mahama influenced the construction of the guest house for his personal comfort has been shot down by the former President’s special aide, Joyce Bawa Mogtari.

Meanwhile, Mr. Amaliba told the New Day host, Bright Nana Amfoh the NPP government “threw out packed of lies against the board members of SSNIT. You go and arrest ministers on Ameri and up till today, no evidence has been provided”.

The NDC man said if the former president wanted to build such guest house for his personal gains, he would have built it on his land and not on the land of the COCOBOD.

But Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Council, Eric Twum claimed the response by the office of the former President was not necessary, saying it rather exposes many rots that went on regarding the constructions.

“He should not have responded. It is unnecessary. The attempt to counter was needless because the truth is that, some things went on that was not to have been done”.

Mr. Twum said “It has to be investigated. How was the contract awarded, it should not cost the tax payer GHS8m”.

By Kweku Antwi-Otoo|TV3|editors.3news.com|Ghana