COCOBOD: 'CEO-branded chocolates not from taxpayers' money'

Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Fiifi Boafo has dismissed claims that some 900 pieces of chocolate branded with the picture of the COCOBOD CEO to mark his 60th birthday was paid for with taxpayers’ money.

“The chocolates they are talking about was ordered by myself and it was at a cost of GHS2,940. An invoice was issued on the 13th of December and payment has been effected. It has nothing to do with COCOBOD, it has nothing to do with government institution and taxpayers’ money,” he told Class91.3FM on Monday, January 8.

He explained that the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) customises Golden Tree chocolates for occasions such as birthdays, weddings and funerals for the public with an extra 10% charge for the branding.

For him, branding of chocolate is not new and he does not understand why the development should invite public criticism.

“I don’t get the fuss about this story where people say that by branding chocolates, it constitutes profligacy, abuse of power and all sorts of descriptions,” he said, adding: “It is a complete lie that COCOBOD money has been used to finance the birthday of Joseph Boahen Aidoo”.