Ghana Police Retrieve Fake Cocoa Insecticides from Market

By Writer On Feb 25, 2020

The Goaso Police Division in Ahafo Region in a joint operation with the managers of New Okaff Industries Limited have retrieved gallons of fake cocoa insecticide called AF Confidence No.1 in some parts of the region to prevent hazard it will pose to cocoa trees after use.

Ayomsu, Pomaakrom, Awiaso, Asumura among others in the Asunafo North Municipality were the communities where almost 50 gallons of the said fake insecticide were retrieved from cocoa farmers who purchased the product from an amputee who is now a convict.

According to the Leader of the operation CID Detective Sergeant Adongo the exercise was conducted with the aim to remove the content of the said fake product which is poisonous to cocoa trees from the market.

He explained that after the Goaso Magistrate court convicted Mr. Kwabena Ofori Agyeman, an amputee, as the brain behind the manufacturing of the fake product the police and authorities of the said company thought it prudent to visit the communities where the products were sold.

CID Detective Sergeant Adongo confirmed that the exercise was initially faced with a challenge which is most farmers were not willing to cooperate due to fear because most were aware of the arrest and conviction of Mr. Agyeman after the publication of the story and hugely discussed by many radio and television station.

They thought the police were in their communities to make a further arrest but with an explanation they finally coped with the team to help retrieved gallons of the product.

On whether the operation would be extended to Sefwi areas in the Western North region as it was brought to bare and confirmed that the fake product was sold massively, the police assured farmers to who are victims to expect the exercise there as well to make sanity prevail.

The police urged cocoa farmers to contact them in case they come across any fake products in the system for the police to take necessary steps to combat it.

Mr. Kwasi Boamah Adomako, Commercial Director of New Okaff Industries Limited explained that the step taken by the police and his company is a good call because per the chemicals used by the convict it will be extremely difficult for the world market to accept cocoa beans in contact with the fake insecticide.

He said the country’s cocoa is one of the best in the world market but per what has happened if necessary steps are not taken by all stakeholders of cocoa business the country will not do well in the years ahead and it will be a major blow.

Mr. Boamah agreed with the police to visit all communities in the country to retrieve all gallons of the fake product and replace with genuine one for the farmers who were not enough vigilant to identify the fake product.

The Cocoa Farmers who were victims thanked the police and the company for assisting to retrieve the fake product which is gradually affecting their cocoa trees after using some years back.

They promised the team to report any person who comes to them with the authorized product because currently, their cocoa farms are not the best as expected due to the use of the fake product.