The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) states that this is merely a suggestion for the purchase of 15 keyboards for board members at GH˖4,500 each. It is not authorized.
The request to buy the keyboards, which was documented in a memo approved by some powerful people—among them, one who suggested the business should provide it—has since been mocked on social media.
Those who find the request absurd question why a keyboard will set you around GH˼4,500 apiece. Some have continued to “mourn for Ghana,” arguing that this explains “why Ghana is broke” in terms of money.
Nonetheless, the Public Affairs Department of COCOBOD emphasized in a statement that no procurement deals for the keyboards have been approved as of yet.
The suggestion, according to the statement released on Monday, April 1, was a part of an effort to improve board member collaboration and efficiency while also reducing the amount of paper and stationery used during meetings.
“The widely disseminated document from the Board’s Information Systems Department has been noted by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). The message is a request for approval from management to purchase iPad keyboards for the board of directors’ members.
“The request to purchase iPad keyboards was based on the Board’s adoption of the “CONVENE” App which is part of efforts to reduce the use of paper and stationary during board meetings, while at the same time, enhancing productivity and collaboration among members.
“We wish to emphasize that Management has not sanctioned the procurement of the keyboards, and consequently, no procurement transactions have taken place.”
