Minister for Agriculture Bryan Acheampong has accused the Minority group of staging a political show amidst the recent gathering of food suppliers at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO).
Following a heated encounter between Acheampong and Minority leader Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister expressed surprise at the politicization of the issue.
Acheampong addressed the media, stating, “Instead of sympathizing with the issue and trying to address it, they are staging a political show out of the pains of our suppliers. That is what it is.”
“The Minority has put up quite a good political show, but it doesn’t address the issue. We have addressed the issue, and I know that very soon the suppliers are going to be paid.”
The Minister revealed that he had spoken with the suppliers on Thursday night, assuring them that they would receive payment by Friday evening.
According to him, the suppliers had agreed and left the NAFCO premises. However, they regrouped on Friday afternoon due to the Minority’s visit, which Acheampong claimed was an attempt to create a spectacle.
While acknowledging the payment owed to the suppliers, Acheampong assured Ghanaians that the issue is being addressed.
He stated, “The issue is simple: the suppliers have worked and are demanding payment. I will meet with them next week to evaluate their status because, beyond payment, they must continue to do business.”
The food suppliers, however, rebuffed the claims of the Minister and indicated those who left the place on Thursday only accompanied the members who were taken ill to hospital.
The spokesperson of the group, Kwame Amedume, indicated there was a subtle attempt to get them to vacate the premises in order to lock the gates but they saw through the ruse.
According to him, since the Minister has confirmed the suppliers will be paid soon, they will prefer to continue the picketing until the debt is defrayed since this is not the first government has made that promise.