The Ghana Cocoa Board says an appeal by one of three Licensed Buying Companies banned for allegedly engaging in smuggling could be considered sometime in the future. It however says the ban will hold until the company shows sufficient remorse. The three companies, Armajaro Ghana Limited, Diabe and Transroyal, have been banned after they were indicted in smuggling operations uncovered by ace journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. Armajoro, however, says the sanction is harsh because COCOBOD failed to consider its responses to the allegations about the involvement of its staff. But the COCOBOD Chief Executive Anthony Fofie tells Joy Business there is no way the company can claim ignorance. “They’ve opened offices there along the borders and it is their officers, their agents, who are occupying these offices,” he said. According to him, the company’s posture indicates there is no show of remorse, however, “If we see that there is a change of attitude then we will also look at our sanctions.” He added that the district assemblies are also being roped in to monitor the activities of smugglers in the border towns. Mr. Fofie said more than 25 LBCs are expected to fill the vacuum created as a result of the ban. Source: Joy Business/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana