Dr. Stephen Opuni
The National Director of Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Felicia Ansah-Ankrofi, has told an Accra High that the Lithovit foliar fertilizer that was certified by the directorate in 2013 was powder and not liquid.
According to her, the information provided by Agricult Ghana Limited, the distributors of the fertilizer in Ghana indicated that the formulation of the product was powder.
Mrs. Ansah-Ankrofi, who is the fourth prosecution witness in the trial of Dr. Stephen Opuni, former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and businessman Seidu Agongo owner of Agricult, told the court that based on that information, the PPRSD asked the company to make available two kilograms for testing and certification.
Trial
Dr. Opuni and Seidu Agongo are before an Accra High Court for causing financial loss to the state to the tune of GH¢217,370,289.22.
The two are facing a total of 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretence, willfully causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, corruption by a public officer and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
The nature and form Lithovit Fertilizer tested at Cocoa Research Institute Ghana (CRIG) and what was purchased by COCOBOD for distribution to farmers has been a ‘battle’ between the prosecution led by Yvonne Attakora-Obuobisa Director of Public Prosecution and the defence teams led by Samuel Codjoe and Benson Nutsukpui.
While the defence claims the fertilizer tested was liquid in form, the prosecution maintains that it was a powdered fertilizer that was tested at CRIG and subsequently recommended to COCOBOD.
Evidence–in-Chief
But Dr. Ansah-Ankrofi, led in evidence in chief by Evelyn Keelson, Chief State Attorney, and Stella Ohene Appiah, a Principal State Attorney, told the court that the fertilizer which was presented to PPRSD which led to a company and product certificates granted for Agricult Ghana Ltd and Lithovit fertilizer was powder and not liquid.
The witness who was the then Deputy Director and Head of Pesticides and Fertilizers Regulatory Division (PFRD) of the directorate stated that in 2013, Agricult Ghana Limited applied for certification for its company to commence fertilizer business in Ghana.
She said her office went through the laid-down processes and representatives of Agricult Ghana Ltd were invited and taken through the processes.
Dr. Ansah-Ankrofi told the court that although the application came in 2013 and the laboratory analysis was completed in June 2013, payment for certification was delayed so the company got its certification in 2014 to commence fertilizer business in Ghana.
“We asked Agricult Ghana Ltd to bring samples of 2kg powder fertilizer based on the permit application presented to us. So the nature of the fertilizer present to PPRSD was 2kg powdered Lithovit fertilizer,” the court heard.
Manufacturing Certificate
Dr. Ansah-Ankrofi also revealed in court that although Agricult Ghana Ltd had been certified by the PPFRD to commence fertilizer business in Ghana, the company was not certified to manufacture any form of fertilizer in Ghana.
“…I said again that Agricult Ghana Ltd is not registered with PPRSD to manufacture Lithovit liquid foliar fertilizer in Ghana. Agricult Ghana Ltd is only registered to import and distribute Lithovit powder fertilizer.”
Accused Persons
The witness also told the court that she does not know Dr. Opuni whether in a personal or professional capacity but knows Mr. Agongo as a result of his application for certification for his company and Lithovit fertilizer in 2013.
During cross-examination, Samuel Codjoe, Counsel for Dr. Opuni, pointed to the witness that in her dealings with Lithovit fertilizer and Agricult Ghana Ltd, she never had any contact or dealing with Dr. Opuni and she confirmed same.
The court, presided over by Justice Clemence Honyenuga, a Supreme Court judge, sitting with additional responsibilities, adjourned the matter to October 13, 2020 for continuation.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak