The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) says it has noted with deep concern reports that some purchasing clerks (PCs) working for Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) in some parts of the country have deliberately been adjusting their weighing scales to cheat cocoa farmers. COCOBOD says the unacceptable practice constitutes a serious crime. “All LBCs are responsible for the provision of weighing scales which have been certified by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) for the weighing of all produce offered to them. It should be noted that the GSA is the only organization mandated to ensure that scales used by LBCs for cocoa purchases are of the required standard,” a statement by COCOBOD said. It said it is illegal for any LBC or their representatives to purchase cocoa beans with weighing scales which are different from what has been certified by the GSA. “We, therefore, want to use this medium to direct all cocoa, coffee and sheanut farmers, who suspect any manipulation of scales used by purchasing clerks in their localities, to immediately report the cheating clerks to officials of the Ghana Standards Authority, COCOBOD or the police for investigation. “The Board will continue to monitor activities of Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to ensure sanity in the cocoa industry.” It continued that leaders of the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association in the districts were particularly encouraged to liaise with officials of the GSA and COCOBOD to ensure that all those perpetrating the illegal acts were apprehended and punished accordingly. COCOBOD has supported the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association to purchase weighing scales and test stones to monitor activities of purchasing clerks in their localities.