A group of pensioners, representing 14,000 individuals across the country, have lodged a petition with Parliament to investigate the underpayment of redundancy benefits owed to them as part of the Cocoa Rehabilitation Project that took place between 1993 and 1994. The Retrenched COCOBOD Debtors’ Association is demanding compensation of GH₵500,000 each from their former employer for laying them off.
Despite obtaining a court judgment in 2019 ordering the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to pay the compensation, the company has refused to comply with the ruling. In response, the former workers, who are all now past their retirement age, have taken their case to Parliament to compel COCOBOD to pay them what is due.
The group of workers were retrenched in 1993-94 as part of the Cocoa Rehabilitation Project, which aimed to revamp the cocoa industry. William O. Badu, who spoke on behalf of the group, indicated that the action has become necessary due to the current economic challenges.
Upon receiving the petition on behalf of the Speaker, MPs for Pru East, Juaboso, and North Tongu,Hon. Stephen Jalula, Hon.Kwabena Mintah Akando, and Hon.Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, respectively, promised that Parliament will give due consideration to the petitioners’ demands.
BY:AGRIWATCH REPORTER
