PBC Workers Urge Government to Act Now to Save Cocoa Giant from Collapse

The Produce Buying Company (PBC), a significant player in Ghana’s cocoa sector, is facing a growing crisis that has left workers demanding urgent government intervention.

Amid rising inefficiencies and financial instability, employees of the company are calling for immediate action to revive its operations.

The workers, led by the Pressure Group of PBC Limited, have been outspoken about the urgent need for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to guide the company through its current challenges.

For months, employees have faced the harsh reality of unpaid salaries, with some going without payment for as long as three to four months.

This has led to a mounting sense of frustration among the staff, who feel abandoned by the government despite PBC’s crucial role in the country’s cocoa industry.

Seth Adusei, Vice Chairman of the Pressure Group, spoke to Citi News about the growing frustration within the workforce.

“PBC needs a new CEO to assure the workers that the government is taking our grievances seriously,” Adusei explained.

He further pointed out the disparity between the attention given to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and PBC.

Despite COCOBOD’s heavy debt load, which stands at about 32 billion, the government continues to prioritize its operations, leaving PBC to struggle without the same level of support.

In addition to leadership concerns, PBC’s financial troubles have been exacerbated by a court order in January 2024 that froze the company’s assets.

This order, issued by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and several other banks, blocked the sale or transfer of PBC’s assets, including its headquarters.

As a result, workers have staged multiple protests demanding the payment of overdue wages.

With no resolution in sight, PBC workers continue to call for swift and decisive action from the government to prevent the collapse of a company that has been integral to Ghana’s cocoa industry for decades.