In the lawsuit involving Dr. Stephen Opuni and two other people, Mr. Baffour Kwaku Agyemang, the sixth defence witness, said that no farmer has ever complained about the Lithovit Liquid Fertilizer's lack of efficacy.
"I also had not heard from officers of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) of COCOBOD of any farmer reporting adversely about the Lithovit Liquid Fertilizer administered on their farms," he said.
In his main testimony, Mr. Agyemeng testified before the Accra High Court that he initially used lithovit on his farm during the 2013–2014 growing season, recording 2086 kg of cocoa beans.
He said that after using it once more in December 2014 and January 2015, he recorded 6,625 kg of cocoa beans.
According to the witness, the smell of urine and a burning sensation in the nostrils were experienced upon initial contact with the fertiliser.
Farmer Mr. Agyemeng said that he was unaware of Dr. Yaw Adu Ampomah but was aware that the lithovit fertiliser was efficient and good notwithstanding his testimony regarding its ineffectiveness.
He said that the CHED officers who visited his property saw that his farm's cocoa produced higher yields than those of other growers.
The University of Ghana's Department of Chemistry conducted a test on the Lithovit, the results of which were unsuccessful. The witness said that they had completed their test, although he was aware that the fertiliser provided had been effective. He claimed that because the lithovit was successful, he and other farmers wished to apply more of it on their crops, but regrettably they were informed that COCOBOD had ceased distribution of the pesticide.
In the open market, "we looked for lithovit liquid fertiliser, but we did not see a drop," he continued.
Mr. Agyemeng admitted to the court during a cross-examination that was led by Nutsukpui Nutifafa, the attorney representing Seidu Agongo, that he had never met Mr. Agongo before he appeared in court.
The witness was asked if he was familiar with the firm Agricult Ghana Limited. He said, "I do not know the company and have no dealings with it."
According to the witness, it would be cruel to say that the money utilised to buy the lithovit for distribution to farmers was a waste of State funds when COCOBOD had not suffered a financial loss.
He said that it was sad that the accused were being brought before the court for punishment since, in his opinion, they greatly benefited from the purchase of lithovit liquid fertiliser, which resulted in financial damage to the State.
Dr. Opuni and Mr. Agongo are accused with 27 offences, including fraud by false pretences, causing the state to intentionally suffer financial loss, money laundering, official corruption, and violating the Public Procurement Act.
They are both free on self-recognizance bail after entering not guilty pleas to the allegations.
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