The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) says its request to purchase 15 keyboards at the cost of GHȼ4,500 each for board members is only a proposal. It has not been approved.

The request to purchase the keyboards, which was captured in a memo endorsed by certain individuals in positions of authority, including one who recommended the company to supply it, has since become the target of social media ridicule.

Those mocking the request as ridiculous question why a keyboard will cost GHȼ4,500 per unit. Some have gone on to ‘mourn for Ghana’, suggesting it explains ‘why Ghana is broke’ financially.

But a statement issued by COCOBOD’s Public Affairs Department emphasised that no procurement transactions for the keyboards have been sanctioned yet.

The statement issued on Monday, April 1, explained that the proposal was part of efforts to reduce the use of paper and stationery during board meetings, while at the same time, enhancing productivity and collaboration among board members.

“The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has taken notice of the widely circulated memo originating from the Information Systems Department of the Board. The said memo is a proposal requesting management to approve the procurement of iPad keyboards for members of the Board of Directors.

“The request to purchase iPad keyboards was based on the Board's adoption of the "CONVENE" App which is part of efforts to reduce the use of paper and stationary during board meetings, while at the same time, enhancing productivity and collaboration among members.

“We wish to emphasize that Management has not sanctioned the procurement of the keyboards, and consequently, no procurement transactions have taken place.”