The Cocoa Carriers Association of Ghana has launched a nationwide boycott services the services they render, protesting against the Ghana Cocoa Board’s (COCOBOD) refusal to raise the labor fee for transporting cocoa beans at various warehouses.
The association is calling on COCOBOD to increase the fee for carrying a bag of cocoa beans, from the current rate of GH¢1.70 cedis to GH¢3 cedis.
The leadership of the association has ordered their members stationed at the Cocoa Marketing Company Limited depots in Tema, Takoradi, and Kumasi to begin an indefinite sit-down strike starting Monday, October 7, 2024 as part of their protest.
This is not the first time they are taking such actions. In 2022, they held a similar strike to demand better wages and working conditions, this left thousands of cocoa bags unattended at warehouses nationwide.
National Chairman of the Cocoa Carriers Association, Raymond Atanga Abobiga, has expressed frustration over the treatment of workers, deeming it unfair. He urged all members across the country to fully engage in the strike.
“We will report to work but remain outside the gates of the warehouses. We won’t resume work until our demands are met,” he asserted. “We want management at COCOBOD to understand that this is not a personal attack; we are fighting for a fair cause.”
A recent visit to the Kumasi depot revealed carriers performing their regular duties of unpacking, carrying, and stacking cocoa bags.
However, the association remains firm in its stance, swearing not to go to work until their demands for wage increment has been met
