The Cocoa Carriers Association has announced that its members at the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC) depots in Tema, Takoradi, and Kumasi will embark on an indefinite sit-down strike starting Monday, October 7, 2024. The decision comes after a prolonged standoff over unresolved issues related to their working conditions and compensation.
This marks the second time the association has taken industrial action, following a similar strike in 2022 when workers demanded better wages and improved conditions. That strike left thousands of cocoa bags stranded in CMC warehouses, disrupting the supply chain and affecting the broader cocoa industry.
Speaking to Citi News, Raymond Atanga Abobiga, National Chairman of the Cocoa Carriers Association, emphasized that the strike will continue until their grievances are addressed. He confirmed that while workers will report to the depots, they will refuse to work until management meets their demands.
“We will be present at the gates of the warehouses but will not carry out any work until our needs are attended to,” Abobiga stated.
He further clarified that the association’s actions are not aimed at any individuals but rather focused on ensuring fair treatment for its members. “This is a just cause. We want the management of COCBOD and our directors to understand that this is not a personal attack but a fight for our rights,” he explained.