Witness Testifies in Opuni Trial: Supported Increase in Lithovit Fertilizer

Accra: In the ongoing trial involving Dr. Stephen Opuni, former Chief Executive of COCOBOD, and two others, the seventh defense witness, Mr. Peter Okyere Boateng, testified that his recommendation for an increase in lithovit fertilizer for cocoa farmers was approved by the COCOBOD management. This development was part of the ongoing legal proceedings in the case against Dr. Opuni and businessman Mr. Seidu Agongo, who face multiple charges including defrauding by false pretenses and causing financial loss to the State.

According to Ghana News Agency, a former Deputy Director of the Cocoa Health Extension Division of COCOBOD, his recommendation came after observing the benefits of lithovit fertilizer and receiving positive feedback from cocoa farmers. This led to the Seven Regional Managers requesting an increase in the fertilizer from 700,000 liters to one million liters. “It is my recommendation that was upheld. But as to whether someone is being favored or not, I cannot speak to it,” he added.

Dr. Opuni and Mr. Agongo are facing 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretenses, wilfully causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, and corruption by a public officer, in contravention of the Public Procurement Act. They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are each on GHS300,000.00 self-recognizance bail.

During further cross-examination led by Mr. Benson Nutsukpui, counsel for Agongo, Mr. Okyere Boateng asserted that his recommendation to COCOBOD’s management was not intended to favor Agongo and his Agricul Company. “I was doing my official duty as the Deputy Director in Charge of Monitoring and Evaluation, and nobody had influence in my work. Therefore, I was not doing anybody a favor with the recommendation and I do not even know Agongo and his Company at the time,” he stated.

When asked whether, during field trips, he visited farms that applied granular fertilizers, Mr. Boateng confirmed they inspected various farms using different types of fertilizers, including granular ones. He mentioned that the objectives of these field visits included monitoring black pod disease problems and caterpillar infestation on the farms.

The trial has been a high-profile case in Ghana, drawing attention to the management of the cocoa sector. The case has been adjourned to November 8, 2023, for further proceedings.