Government Denies Rumours

The government says a campaign of misinformation in certain parts of the country is undermining the mass cocoa spraying exercise currently in progress.

A release from the Ministry of Information signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister, Mr. Ferdinand Ayim, said the campaign which is prevalent in the Central Region, particularly in the Twifo-Heman- Lower Denkyira District gives the false impression that American investors brought in by government to buy cocoa beans are only interested in natural and unsprayed produce for which prices higher than the government's guaranteed prices will be offered.

Thus, cocoa farmers are being encouraged to reject the on-going spraying exercise, because according to the rumour mongers, their beans would be contaminated and consequently rejected by the said American company.

Government vehemently denies this rumour and condemns the campaign as a mischievous attempt to mislead the farmers, sabotage the exercise and create disaffection for the government.

Farmers are therefore advised to ignore the rumour and report any peddler to the nearest Police station.

The release advised all those involved in this mischievous campaign to desist from it forthwith or be dealt with according to the law if caught.

Meanwhile, the government has appealed to all cocoa farmers to actively collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in the exercise.