Takoradi Choked With Stranded Cocoa

Over 700 articulated trucks loaded with cocoa are stranded in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis for several weeks now with their cargo not off-loaded by the Cocobod.

Some of the trucks have congested the streets and every available parking space especially at the Fijai Shell filling station area and several other parts in the metropolis.

The result is the rampant fatal accidents that occur at places where the trucks are parked. When contacted, Captain Paul Hevi, the harbour master said that Ghana Ports and Harbours (GPHA) had nothing to do with the congestion and thus the problem was the making of Ghana Cocobod. He explained that before any bean arrived at the port it was assumed that bean had already been sold and was at the port to be shipped to the owners.

However, he further explained, it looked to him the present situation was quite different and hoped the Cocobod would act swiftly to save the situation. He said the port only provides temporary storage to all stakeholders including the Cocobod and that the Cocobod is responsible for the off-loading of the many trucks parked in the streets of the metropolis. Captain Hevi indicated that all of the port?s warehouses and shed are full with cocoa waiting to be shipped away.

He lamented that in spite of the present situation having been communicated to the Cocobod, loaded trucks keep arriving in the metropolis to complicate the already uneasy congestional situation. Captain Hevi therefore suggested to Cocobod to put up sheds to prevent such annual ritual which has been happening for some time now.