Tempers flared on the premises of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) as Minister for Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, clashed with Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson regarding the ongoing picketing by food suppliers.
Accompanied by his deputy Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, MP for Juaboso Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and MP for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Forson visited the suppliers to gain firsthand information on the situation.
However, Acheampong encountered the group engaged in discussions with the Deputy CEO of NAFCO Kofi Amankwa, and expressed his displeasure.
He remarked, “This is not the route to solve this problem. This inorganic picketing should not be accepted or encouraged. So you don’t bring the press to the reception…”
Interrupting, the Minority leader pointed out that the journalists present were members of the Parliamentary Press Corps. Despite the clarification, Acheampong retorted, “You’re the Minority leader of the Parliament of Ghana and a former Deputy Finance Minister.”
Tempers flared further when MP for Juaboso intervened, warning the Minister against treating them like children. He exclaimed, “What is your problem? You cannot tell us how to do our work. We are here doing our oversight job as parliamentarians. You cannot talk to us like kids.”
The situation eventually de-escalated as they retreated to an office to address their differences and emerged together to address the press.
The suppliers have been staging a protest at NAFCO for several days due to non-payment for food supplied to schools in 2022 and 2023. Reports indicate that NAFCO owes approximately 200 suppliers over $275 million.