The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has stated that it was not in any way influenced or forced to lift a ban it placed on three Licensed Buying Companies whose operations it suspended for alleged complicity in cocoa smuggling. The affected companies including Amajaro were banned from buying cocoa along the Western corridor. COCOBOD says it is contemplating issuing a statement to respond appropriately to calls by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on COCOBOD to come out clear on the reasons for lifting the ban on Amajaro Company. But it challenges anyone who thinks that there was any fishy deal to also come out and prove it. The Head Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Noah Amenya has told Asempa News that COCOBOD lifted the ban on genuine grounds other than the allegations being leveled against it and some senior government officials by the Sunday Times of the United Kingdom. The Sunday Times early November claimed Andrew Mitchell, Britain’s international development Secretary intervened through his country’s Foreign Office to have the ban overturned after the owner of Amajaro, Anthony Ward requested for help. The publication also stated that Ghana’s Vice President John Mahama was lobbied for him to also intervene to have the ban lifted but Mr. Amenya has denied the allegation. Story: Yaa Asantewaa/Asempa FM/Ghana