E/R:CRIG Staff Demand Immediate Removal of Executive Director Over Low Morale and Poor Leadership

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A petition signed by leaders of the staff union at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) has called

for the immediate revocation of Dr. Francis Kwame Padi’s appointment as Executive Director, citing a sharp decline in staff morale and a hostile working environment.  

According to the petition, research scientists are being denied sponsorships to attend conferences, which has hindered professional development and collaboration. The document further alleges that Dr. Padi has refused to hold staff durbars for visiting dignitaries from COCOBOD, a long-standing tradition aimed at fostering unity and engagement among employees.  

The leadership of the Union and Senior Staff reportedly met with management to address concerns over withdrawn promotion letters for 2023/2024, as well as a lack of logistics for various departments, especially transport, which has left workers fearing for their safety when traveling.  

In what the petition describes as a violation of Ghana’s Labour Act (Act 651, 2003), union leaders, including the General Secretary and National Chairman, were issued private letters as a form of intimidation after attempting to engage management on these matters.  


The petition concludes that staff members feel "depressed, afraid, and hopeless" under the current leadership, warning that CRIG is at risk of collapse unless immediate action is taken.  

The petition has been signed by key union executives, including National Chairman Andrews Awudja, General Secretary Chris Osei Asante, and other senior representatives, and has been copied to top COCOBOD officials.


By Nana Kwasi Asare 

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