Management of the Cocoa Abrabopa Associaton (CAA) has asked the general public to disregard the assertion that COCOBOD fertilizers meant for cocoa farmers have been left to expire.

This statement follows a video making rounds on social media alleging that fertilisers meant to be freely distributed by COCOBOD to cocoa farmers had expired.

A statement issued by the CAA on Friday stated that the expired fertilizers seen on social media were fertilizers diverted from a disposal exercise that was undertaken by the Environmental Sanitation and Health Unit at Assin Fosu.

“Cocoa Abrabopa Association would like to state emphatically that we duly engaged and paid for the services of the Environmental Sanitation and Health Unit at Assin Fosu district to carry out an effective disposal of 9,600 bags of expired Nitrabor fertilisers from our district warehouse in Assin Dompem”.

According to the management of CAA, the Environmental Sanitation and Health Unit carried out the haulage, fumigation and disposal of the expired fertilizers between August 23-24 this year.

However, during this process, some of the fertilizers were diverted from their intended disposal sites.

“We believe that some of the expired fertilizers turned up at Assin Dompen, where the video circulating on social media was taken”.

The management also assured the general public that as a key stakeholder within the cocoa industry, it will ensure proper disposal of the fertilizers.

“We take the matter seriously and have tasked our officers in the district, to engage with cocoa farmers to prevent the application of any of the fertilizers on farms”.

It concluded with an apology to all persons and organisations mentioned in the circulated videos.