A leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edudzi Tameklo, has described the Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, a "very wicked man" who has "completely destroyed" the once-creditworthy state enterprise.

According to Mr Tameklo, Mr Aidoo has run down COCOBOD to the point where international banks now view it as unattractive for business.

Mr Tameklo's remarks come in response to COCOBOD's recent announcement at a media briefing on August 20, 2024.

The announcement revealed that the organization is departing from its 32-year tradition of relying on offshore borrowing for cocoa purchases through its syndication program.

Mr. Aidoo stated that, starting with the 2024/2025 cocoa crop season beginning in September 2024, COCOBOD will shift to self-financing in an effort to reduce its reliance on external funds.

"Is it good that always, COCOBOD should be heard going to borrow? Are we comfortable with that tag?” he asked rhetorically before announcing: “Today, you have heard that COCOBOD is not going to borrow,” adding: “It is quite a good time for any human being to learn his or her lessons."

"In 32 years, we have learned our lessons, and we think that it is high time we wean ourselves from the offshore international financial markets and then finance the crop ourselves here. And that is exactly what we are going to do. And I think it comes with a lot of projectory benefits," Mr Aidoo noted.

He mentioned: "We are looking for $1.5 billion this crop season, and looking at the interest rates last year, which were over 8 per cent, plus the cost, it means that we can save more than $150 million by the decision not to go offshore."

Mr. Tameklo who doubles as the Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress, took to Facebook to criticize Mr. Aidoo’s announcement.

Mr Tameklo argued that rather than acknowledging his role in COCOBOD's financial difficulties and poor production figures, Aidoo is attempting to capitalize on the “mess” he created for personal gain.

“Cocoa production has fallen to 500,000 metric tonnes. Instead of admitting that you are responsible for this mess, you are here creating [a] useless impression,” wrote Mr Tameklo, who insisted: “This man should be arrested.”

According to Mr Tameklo, “All he [the COCOBOD CEO] is interested in is the award of sole-sourced contracts to Bawumia’s brother and others,” exclaiming: “Shame!”