QCCL Union Urges Action to Safeguard Ghana's Vital Cocoa Industry

The Quality Control Company Limited (QCCL) Employees Union of COCOBOD has called for urgent action to protect Ghana’s cocoa industry while safeguarding the rights and welfare of workers. The Union expressed concern over the serious decline in the cocoa sector, largely driven by illegal mining (galamsey), which has destroyed cocoa farms, polluted water bodies and reduced productivity. Speaking during the Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the National Consultative Council (NCC) of the QCC Employees Union, the newly elected National Chairman, Paapa Amankwah Sarpong, said the situation is negatively affecting COCOBOD’s operations and revenue, making it increasingly difficult for management to meet expectations. “The destructive wave of illegal mining “, galamsey”, has polluted our rivers, degraded fertile lands, and destroyed cocoa farms that once stood as a symbol of national pride. This harsh reality is affecting productivity, revenue, and ultimately, the capacity of Management to meet all our expectations in full. Therefore, I urge all members to be patient and understanding during these difficult times, as we will continue to engage management constructively.” Meanwhile, the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU–Ghana) has called for stronger collaboration between management and workers to enhance productivity across the cocoa sector. The General Secretary of ICU–Ghana, Godwin Ayawine, acknowledged the challenges confronting COCOBOD but stressed that the Union is mobilising stakeholders to engage the President of the Republic on practical measures to support COCOBOD, its divisions and subsidiaries, including PBC Limited. “Despite these difficulties, we must not throw in the towel, as doing so would undermine the very foundation of Ghana’s economy,” he said. “ICU–Ghana, together with GAWU and TUC (Ghana), is mobilising all relevant stakeholders to engage the President on ways to support and sustain COCOBOD and its subsidiaries. The current situation of PBC Limited will also feature prominently in our discussions.” The Union further highlighted the critical role of the Quality Control Company, noting that quality assurance remains central to Ghana’s competitiveness in the global cocoa market and must not be compromised.