Opuni’s dismissal no surprise – COCOBOD staff

Alhaji Hassan Iddris, Chairman of the Supreme Consultative Council of COCOBOD, has said he is not surprised at the removal of Dr Stephen Opuni as the Chief Executive Officer of the organisation.

According to him, many past CEOs of COCOBOD were removed when there was a change of government, hence Dr Opuni’s fate was nothing new.

President Nana Akufo-Addo fired Dr Opuni Thursday in a letter signed by the president's Executive Secretary, giving him up to the end of Friday, 13 January, to leave office.

According to the letter, Dr Opuni “ceases to hold office as CEO of COCOBOD upon assumption of office of President Nana Akufo-Addo”.

He is, therefore, expected to hand over office documents and property by the stipulated date.

Speaking in relation to this development in an interview with Emefa Apawu on Class91.3FM’s ‘505’ programme on Friday, Alhaji Iddris said: “It is no news to us because it has happened to past Chief Executives before. The appointing body can hire and fire and so they have taken the decision.

“Government has taken the decision so we, the workers, will need to wait and see the next CEO to be appointed.”

He, however, mentioned that during his stay at COCOBOD, Dr Opuni had a cordial working relationship with all the workers in the sector.