Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has dismissed speculations suggesting that he is a leading candidate to become the running mate of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the upcoming December elections.
Speaking to reporters, Dr. Acheampong expressed confidence in Dr. Bawumia‘s ability to select the most suitable candidate to accompany him in the elections. He emphasized that Dr. Bawumia will make a judicious decision in the interest of the party.
“The only leading candidate that we know is in the mind of Dr. Bawumia. I am serving now but I was doing very well in business, if you know me. But I am serving now, so I am not a leading candidate for Dr. Bawumia,” Dr. Acheampong stated.
He further added, ““Everything is in his head. He will choose, he will make the best decision for the party, and the party will rally behind that candidate.”
The National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo, has issued a stern warning to Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
George Opare Addo has cautioned the latter against playing games with the NDC in the upcoming December polls.
The National Youth Organiser’s remarks came to Bryan Acheampong’s recent assertion.
Bryan Acheampong had expressed confidence that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will emerge victorious in this year’s elections, citing the improving economy as a key factor.
He emphasized that with the economy showing signs of improvement, Ghanaians are likely to continue supporting the NPP.
However, in a post on the X platform, Mr Opare Addo rebuffed Bryan Acheampong’s confidence, issuing a direct warning to him and others within the NPP. He stressed that President John Dramani Mahama would secure victory in the December elections, asserting the NDC’s readiness to defend the democratic process.
Mr Opare Addo also emphasized the NDC Youth Wing’s commitment to upholding the will of the people and threatened to take decisive action against any attempt to undermine the electoral process.
He urged respect for the constitutional rights of Ghanaians and warned against any attempts to manipulate the election outcome.
“President John Dramani Mahama will emerge victorious in the December elections and assume the presidency of Ghana. We, the NDC Youth Wing, will not hesitate to take drastic measures against anyone who dares to obstruct the free will and constitutional processes of our nation.
We are prepared to respond aggressively to any misbehavior by an election officer or an agent of this failed ruling government who attempts to thwart the will of the people on December 7,2024. No one should dare play games with the NDC and the people of Ghana. Let it be known,” he added.
I have issued a stern warning to Bryan Acheampong and those in the NPP who share his mindset. I personally delivered the message to him in Abetifi, his hometown, so he hears it loud and clear.
If they have the courage, they should confront us on Election Day, December 7, 2024.… pic.twitter.com/rDA9Gs1Uf6
Member of Parliament for the Abetifi Constituency, Bryan Acheampong, reaffirmed his stance that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will not concede power to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming 2024 general elections, citing ongoing efforts to revitalise the economy.
Acheampong acknowledged the economic challenges facing Ghana but emphasised the NPP’s commitment to improving the situation and ensuring positive impacts on the lives of Ghanaians, intending to secure the party’s continued leadership.
Questioning the NDC’s readiness and ability to win elections, Acheampong stated, “Last year, I stood here in Mpraeso and said that whether NDC likes it or not they will never win the 2024 polls. If you don’t win an election, will power be handed over to you? We will not hand it over to them today or tomorrow,” he reiterated.
He continued “As at that time I made the statements, Ghana was confronted with economic challenges. Food inflation was around 61%. Inflation was around 55%. The prices of cement and iron rods went up. Contractors said because of the IMF program, they were not going to work.
“Agenda 111 projects came to a standstill. The dollar prices went up as high as GH¢19.00. Even at the time, in 2020, when we were in difficulty, the NDC was thinking that because we were in difficulty, Ghanaians were going to vote against the NPP. But I told you that before we will vote in the next election, the economy will be restored and Ghanaians will see the good works of the NPP government.”
He highlighted past economic difficulties and asserted that despite such challenges, the NPP’s governance would demonstrate significant progress before the upcoming elections.
What Bryan Acheampong said in April 2023
Bryan Acheampong, after a walk dubbed “Walk to Build A Better Ghana,” with a multitude of New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters at Mpreaso-Kwahu in the Eastern Region on Saturday, April 8, 2023, stated that the ruling NPP will never hand over power to the opposition NDC in 2025.
He cautioned that the NPP would show the NDC that they have the “men” should they try to use threats and violence in the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
“The NDC party will collapse. If the NDC dares to use threats, violence, and foolishness in the 2024 election, we will let them know we have the men. We will show them that we have the men.
“We have the men. It will never happen that we, the NPP, will stand on a platform to hand over power to the NDC. It will never happen! We will make sure NPP remain in government at all cost,” he said.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has reflected on his appointment as opportune, arriving at a crucial juncture for Ghana’s agricultural sector.
He perceives his role akin to that of Joseph from biblical lore, who revitalized Egypt and provided relief to the Israelites.
During an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM, Mr Acheampong emphasized that despite concerns about the limited time remaining for the government to enact change, the focus should be on maximizing the potential of the time ahead.
He drew parallels to Joseph’s swift actions that brought about significant transformation.
Mr Acheampong underscored his commitment to President’s vision of making Ghana self-sufficient in food production over the next five years.
He highlighted the president’s directive to prioritize agriculture as a fundamental solution to the country’s food challenges, particularly addressing issues such as fluctuating food prices and heavy reliance on imports.
Furthermore, Mr Acheampong noted the president’s active involvement and support in his efforts, citing instances where the president participated in stakeholder engagements and the launch of initiatives like the Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II.
This collaboration underscores a clear mandate from the president to tackle agricultural issues head-on.
“Joseph came in within a short time and brought change and so it is not about the time left, it is about what you do with the time left,” he told Bernard Avle.
“The president was clear that we needed to push and wanted to see agric as a pillar to solve the food situation in the country and so there was a need for us to fix the different food prices and the amount of money spent on importing food into the country.
“This [my appointment] was a clear assignment that he gave me and said he would be involved in, and that is why when I was doing the stakeholder engagements, the president was there and when I launched the Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II, the president was there.”
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has restated the government’s dedication to securing funds for farmers impacted by the Akosombo Dam spillage in October 2023.
On October 28, 2023, the government committed to a $40 million relief package to aid affected farmers in restoring their livelihoods in flood-affected regions.
The deliberate release of excess water from the Akosombo Dam wreaked havoc on downstream communities, causing damage to farmlands, livestock, infrastructure, irrigation facilities, and crops.
Addressing inquiries in Parliament, the Agriculture Minister disclosed that the funding is part of the World Bank’s Food Systems Resilient Programme and will be distributed in the form of input grants for seeds, fertilizers, and machinery from February to April 2024.
“I have publicly committed to providing assistance to the affected farmers through a $40 million package. This funding is being sourced from the Food Systems Resilient Programme, which is a World Bank-funded program currently being implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.”
He assured that the government has gathered data on affected farms, including gender-disaggregated details on affected farmers, crop areas, types of crops and livestock impacted, machinery, equipment, and agricultural infrastructure.
“This presentation encompasses gender-disaggregated data on affected farmers and crop areas, details on the types of crops and livestock impacted, as well as machinery, equipment, and agricultural infrastructure.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is with the aim of swiftly providing inputs and other resources essential for enabling the affected farmers to resume agricultural activities in the upcoming farming season. I assure this honourable House that we are working diligently to alleviate the challenges faced by our farmers, and we remain committed to supporting their recovery from the recent floods.”
C-Energy Global Holdings reports that only 15.0% of farms in Ghana are classified as commercialized.
Their report, titled “Creating Agriculture Financing Schemes for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security,” further reveals that a mere 4.0% of total bank lending in Ghana has been directed towards agriculture over the last five years.
The report identifies key challenges impeding the agriculture sector, including low mechanization, inadequate farm recordkeeping, deficient rural transportation infrastructure, and post-harvest losses.
These challenges not only affect the sector’s performance but also hinder financial support. Agriculture portfolios are typically thin across all financier groups.
“Agriculture however remains rain fed and on a subsistence basis with only 15% of farms in Ghana commercialized. Low mechanization, poor farm record keeping, inadequate storage & processing capacities, poor rural transportation infrastructure and post-harvest losses are the core challenges affecting agriculture sector performance and disincentivizing financing for the sector”.
Despite efforts, agriculture in Ghana remains primarily rain-fed and on a subsistence basis, with only 15% of farms classified as commercialized.
The report emphasizes the urgent need to address core challenges such as low mechanization, poor farm recordkeeping, inadequate storage, processing capacities, rural transportation infrastructure, and post-harvest losses, which disincentivize financing for the sector.
To bridge existing funding gaps, the report calls for more interventions from funds and financial institutions, notably the Agriculture Development Bank and Ghana EXIM Bank, both mandated to provide funding to actors in the agriculture value chain.
The report also highlights the growing food security risk in Ghana due to climate change, with the country being among the top 10 most severely impacted despite contributing minimally to global warming. Ghana experienced a significant rise in food prices in 2022, evidenced by a 23.8% increase in the national food price index.
Ghana’s agriculture economy is valued at approximately $12.6 billion, contributing an average of 20% to Gross Domestic Product over the last five years. Cash crops and other commodity exports from agriculture make up 20-25% of total export revenues, with the sector employing over 35% of the total labor force.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has been urged to leverage his security expertise to curb the smuggling of fertilizers to Togo and Burkina Faso.
This advice comes after Parliament approved the Exemptions (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which grants customs duties and taxes waiver for fishing gear and agricultural inputs, leading to estimated exemptions of GH¢442.65 million next year.
Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President of Imani Africa, expressed hope that the Minister would prevent fertilizer diversion and emphasized the importance of clear tax exemptions, especially for agricultural inputs, in addressing high food inflation.
In response to the tax measures approved by Parliament on December 22, Cudjoe commented on the various exemptions and taxes, urging prudent spending during the festive season.
He highlighted the importance of the Agric Minister, with his security background, ensuring effective distribution and preventing smuggling, as witnessed in the past.
Additionally, he noted the imposition of five new taxes set to take effect on January 1, 2024, and quoted Gideon Tucker’s famous statement about the safety of life, liberty, and property during legislative sessions.
Parliament approved five tax bills, including the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Excise Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2023; Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Emissions Levy Bill, 2023; and Exemptions (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
These bills aim to enhance government revenue, with estimates suggesting GH¢3.725 billion from the VAT Bill, GH¢540 million from the Excise Duty Bill, GH¢653 million from the Stamp Duty Bill, and GH¢541 million from the Emissions Levy Bill for the 2024 financial year.
The Exemptions (Amendment) Bill, 2023, provides waivers for customs duties and taxes on fishing gear and agricultural inputs, contributing to estimated exemptions of GH¢442.65 million next year.
The bill focuses on exempting seeds and fertilizers imported for agricultural purposes under the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme’s phase two.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has expressed concern over Ghana’s dependence on external sources to address its food-related challenges.
Acheampong revealed that Ghana currently imports approximately $24 million worth of onions exclusively from Niger. He emphasized that the nation could achieve self-sufficiency by importing only a fraction of its current imports.
“We have identified zones; we know the seed requirement, fertiliser, and people requirement and we are going to get it done … we imported close US$24 million of onions from Niger.
“I need a quarter of that to fix our onion problem with the land available in the Volta, Bono, Northern Regions with a quarter of that money because they produce US$26 million worth of onions, Ghana takes US$24 million, Nigeria takes about US$800, 000,” he said on Asaase radio.
Bryan Acheampong also outlined the government’s plan to tackle this issue as part of the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs program.
Bryan Acheampong further announced that the government intends to address this issue as part of the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs program.
“We are going to deal with it, under Planting for Food and Jobs phase two we have a clear plan that we are going to share. So, Ghanaians know the size of our problem and how we are dealing with it. We are dealing with ten crops,” he added.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has announced that the government’s second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative aims to achieve food self-sufficiency for the country within the next five years.
On Monday, August 28, 2023, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurated the second phase of the government’s prominent agricultural initiative, PFJ, at the University for Development Studies in Tamale.
Following the launch, the Agric Minister expatiated on the gains that would accrue from the government’s initiative during an engagement on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News.
According to Mr Acheampong, the key focus of the initiative would be on the dietary needs of Ghanaians such as the cultivation of onions, tomatoes, grains among others.
“For grains, we are looking at maize, soya, rice and sorghum and for plantain tubers and roots, we are looking at plantain itself, cassava, yam and then, we are also focusing on one protein which is poultry and the focus on poultry will be broiler,” he added.
The cultivation of such crops in a period of five years, he said, would make Ghana food reliant and also provide the country the opportunity to grow the exportation of such food items.
“We are clear in our mind that with these 10 crops and poultry with the five-year development plan that have developed, we have a new marking scheme that we are setting for ourselves as a country. We should be food self-sufficient in tomato, onion, pepper, rice, maize, cassava, legumes, and yam, plantain. We should, in five years, be self-sufficient and be able to export these crops and poultry,” he said.
Increased investment in the cultivation of vegetables such as onions has become essential as Ghana now suffers the brunt of the Niger coup. Owing to the military takeover and the volatility of security in the West African subregion, countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso have closed their borders, making transportation of onions and other commodities difficult.
Recent reports indicate that Ghanaian traders in the onion business are at a loss due to the destruction of their commodities by suspected terrorists and their inability to move their goods easily due to the closure of borders. About 350 bags of onions meant for the Kwadaso Market last two weeks have perished due to the delay in delivery.
Planting for Food and Jobs
Designed to build upon the achievements of the initial program, the second phase of this initiative is a comprehensive five-year master plan aimed at revolutionizing agriculture in Ghana. It places a strong emphasis on modernization, achieved through the advancement of selected commodity value chains and active engagement of the private sector.
Speaking at the launch, President Akufo-Addo stated that the second phase, by design, “takes a holistic view and places greater emphasis on value chain approaches by focusing on strengthening linkages between actors along eleven selected agricultural commodity value chains broadly categorised into grains, roots and tuber, vegetables and poultry.”
Additionally, in phase two of the program, there is a focus on enhancing service delivery to maximize its effectiveness.
This involves replacing direct input subsidies with intelligent agricultural financial support, which includes comprehensive input credit options and provisions for in-kind payments.
A group of dissatisfied food suppliers have converged at the premises of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCo), seeking payment for overdue arrears connected to food deliveries to senior high schools nationwide over the past two years.
Starting their protest in July, the suppliers engaged in several days of picketing at the Buffer Stock site after their appeals to the government for owed payments went unanswered, affecting their ability to sustain their businesses.
Their disappointment grew when they received only a partial settlement for their arrears, despite Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, assuring them of full payment by July 17.
Subsequently, the suppliers discovered that the Buffer Stock Company had actually received funds from the Ministry of Finance on the aforementioned date, but only a portion of the owed sum was disbursed.
With the promise of the remaining payment by August 17, the suppliers decided to gather at the NAFCo premises, demanding the resolution of the matter.
The suppliers underscored their financial challenges amid the current economic climate and emphasized the importance of the outstanding payments to sustain their businesses. They are urging the government to uphold its commitment and expedite the full payment process.
Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has announced intentions by the Ghanaian government to enact stringent measures aimed at effectively addressing the issue of cocoa bean smuggling to neighboring nations.
As per the minister’s statement, the enhanced Planting for Food and Jobs strategy encompasses measures that involve distributing confiscated smuggled cocoa beans evenly between the government and individuals who provide information about such activities.
“If anyone feels they still need to smuggle to Cote D’Ivoire we are going to launch an operation called ‘Catch and Share.’ With that, when we arrest the cocoa, anyone who will play a role in the arrest will receive a 50% share. We will share it with you 50/50. Not just the police or immigration officers, every single Ghanaian who will aid in the arrest of smuggled goods.”
The minister said the government as part of the measures has also ensured a significant increase in cocoa prices on the local market as another disincentive to smugglers.
As one of the two leading cocoa producers in the world, Ghana has over the years faced challenges in cocoa foreign exchange as compared to output due to smuggling.
The situation has largely been attributed to the low price on the local market as compared to neighbouring countries.
Ghana, often celebrated for its fertile lands and rich agricultural heritage, is facing a paradoxical situation that has raised concerns among its citizens and leaders alike.
With a population of around 30.4 million, approximately 3.5 million individuals are engaged in farming, yet the nation continues to rely heavily on imports for staples like tomatoes and various other agricultural products.
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has expressed concern over this unsettling reality.
He labeled the situation as “shameful,” highlighting the contradiction between the nation’s agricultural potential and its dependence on imported produce.
“Ghana has about 3.5 million farmers but we cannot even feed ourselves on basic commodities such as tomatoes, rice, onions, etc. That’s very shameful, but we will address it,” he said.
According to GhStat on Twitter, Ghana imports about 84 per cent of its tomato from Burkina Faso.
In October 2022, trade data from the Ghana Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association (Ghana Vegetables) indicated that annual tomato import from neighbouring Burkina Faso has hit a staggering US$400million from an estimated US$99.5million in 2018.
As of then, Ghana imported 90 percent of its fresh tomato from Burkina Faso.
But recent happenings in the West African sub- region threatens the trade deal between Ghana and Burkina Faso. The ongoing coup in Niger could affect how Ghana and Burkina Faso relate.
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has given an indication that much more work can be done to ensure the office spaces of Ministers of State are modern and aesthetically mesmerizing.
Interacting with the host of the Kokoroko Show on Peace FM, Kwame Sefa Kayi, Bryan Acheampong could not restrain himself from admiring the office space of the seasoned journalist. He was in awe as he punned his head to appreciate the space.
To the utter surprise of Kwame Sefa Kayi, the Agric Minister noted that the offices occupied by Ministers come nowhere close to his. Although the minister made the statement in jest, he repeated it several times.
“Have Ghanaians seen your office? I have not seen a Minister whose office is as beautiful as yours.
You go to the Ministries. The ones you have visited, is this what they look like,” he said in the local dialect.
Kwame Sefa Kayi
The host responded in pidgin saying; “Everybody and ein own” to wit, everyone has it differently.
The Agric minister then commended Mr Sefa Kayi. “You have lived a good life,” he said.
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has announced that GHS100 million out of the owed GHS203 million to food suppliers has been transferred.
He assured that the first part of the arrears will be paid by Tuesday, July 18, with the remaining amount settled by 17th August.
The Minister made this statement in Parliament after being summoned by the Speaker, along with the Ministers of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, and Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to address the issue with the food suppliers.
“We still owe suppliers a little above GHS203 million. Last week we received GHS100 million which is 50 percent of what is due the suppliers, we have transferred same through the processes to buffer stock. We are hoping that by midweek this week that 50 percent will be sent to the suppliers.
“I have also assured the suppliers that as we commence the payment of the 50 percent on the 17th of July, by the 17th of August the remaining 50 percent will be paid.”
The Agriculture Minister’s comments come amidst a stand-off with the National Food Suppliers Association, represented by spokesperson Koku Amedume, who expressed their refusal to accept partial payments and demanded the government stick to the original payment schedule.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture assured that the necessary funds for full payment had been released, and the settlement would be made by Wednesday, July 19.
Addressing the press on Monday, July 17, the spokesperson stated that the suppliers are seeking complete settlement of their long-overdue funds. Interest has accumulated, and they are facing pressure from banks to take their properties, while members suffer from severe financial hardships.
Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, has cautioned Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, regarding what he considers as “personal attacks.”
Last week, Ato Forson and the Minority in Parliament engaged in a heated confrontation with the minister regarding the non-payment of suppliers of the Buffer Stock Company. The suppliers had been staging protests at the company’s premises.
A video circulating online shows the minister being approached by approximately six Minority MPs, while he maintains that there was no need for them to involve the press in their meeting. He refers to their picket as “inorganic.”
The minister’s exchange with Ato Forson is produced below
Bryan Acheampong: Don’t bring press to the reception
Ato Forson: This is the parliamentary press corps.
Bryan Acheampong: You are a leader, you are a Minority Leader….
Ato Forson: You like attacking me anytime you speak, that should stop. That should stop, let me address him…you like attacking people. Stop that. Stop attacking me, anytime you speak, you try to attack me. Stop that thing, stop that attitude of yours.
In the last public exchange between Ato Forson and Bryan Acheampong, the Minority Leader fired questions at the minister at the appointment’s committee sitting leading the minister to exclaim “Ei Ato! But you are my friend,” adding that he should be vouching for him, not interrogating him.
Minority solidarizes with food suppliers
The Minority on July 7, visited the premises of the state-run company to show solidarity with members of the National Food Suppliers Association, who have been picketing at the location since Tuesday, July 4, 2023, and have been sleeping there ever since.
During their visit, while the minority members, led by the Minority Leader, Ato Forson, were being briefed by the Deputy CEO of the company, when Bryan Acheampong stormed the venue, confronting the minority and questioning their presence with the press without seeking his permission.
In response, Juaboso MP; Mintah Akandoh clarified that the media present were from the parliamentary press corps.
However, Acheampong dismissed the explanation, pointing to the minority leader, he said, “You can’t do that, you are a former deputy finance minister, what do you know about payment.”
Akandoh countered, saying, “You should be the last person to get angry.”
The National Food Suppliers Association revealed that the National Buffer Stock Company owes them an amount of ¢270 million, and they have vowed to remain at the company’s premises until reimbursement is made.
In response, the National Buffer Stock Company expressed sympathy towards the food suppliers and committed to taking appropriate action following an emergency meeting with the Board of Directors.
MinorityLeader Cassiel Ato Forson has cautioned his friend and Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, against what he terms ‘personal attacks’ towards him.
Late last week, the minister and Ato Forson got into a fight over the Buffer Stock Company’s failure to pay its suppliers, who had been picketing outside the company’s offices.
A half-dozen Minority MPs confront the minister in a video that the media has access to, and he responds by telling them that they don’t need to bring the press to meet with him and that their picket is “inorganic.”
The minister’s exchange with Ato Forson is produced below
Bryan Acheampong: Don’t bring press to the reception
Bryan Acheampong: You are a leader, you are a Minority Leader….
Ato Forson: You like attacking me anytime you speak, that should stop. That should stop, let me address him…you like attacking people stop that. Stop attacking me, anytime you speak, you try to attack me. Stop that thing, stop that attitude of yours.
In the last public exchange between Ato Forson and Bryan Acheampong, the Minority Leader fired questions at the minister at the appointment’s committee sitting leading the minister to exclaim “Ei Ato! But you are my friend,” adding that he should be vouching for him not interrogating him.
The Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has revealed that the payment processes for food suppliers would begin on Monday, July 17.
Before this announcement, members of the National Food Suppliers Association had staged a four-day protest by picketing at the National Food Buffer Stock Company.
Their objective was to demand payment for the food items they had supplied to senior high schools nationwide.
The spokesperson for the Association, Kwaku Amedume, expressed the hope that the government would fulfill its commitment to settle the outstanding payments, as his members eagerly await a resolution to the matter.
“The Minister met us on Friday and gave us some assurances, but it doesn’t mean that we left the place because of those assurances. We left because we believed that we have created much awareness in demanding our money from the government and the Buffer Stock Company has admitted its indebtedness to us and has promised to pay by July 17, and we hope the government is able to pay as it has promised.”
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has announced that payment process to settle the arrears owed to members of the National Food Suppliers Association has already commenced.
In an interview on Citi FM, the minister noted that the first instalment is to be disbursed beginning Monday, July 17.
He stated that this information has been made known to the members of the National Food Suppliers Association, who have been sleeping at the premises of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) since Tuesday, July 4, to demand payment of GH¢278 million owed them.
“Luckily, there has been a reconciliation and payment is being processed for them and it will be paid to them starting July 17. I can assure you that from July 17, those who have supplied and have been cleared will be paid their money,” the Agric Minister said.
According to Mr Acheampong, government has already initiated the processes to ensure it pays what is due to the aggrieved food suppliers. He shot down claims that government has been compelled to act due to the picketing by food suppliers.
“There was no need to have the protest for these people to be paid from July 17, they are not being paid because they have protested because we had the timelines on when they were going to receive the money and the protest has only forced us to come out to tell them the date for the payment and so I told them today that it was not because of the protest that they were being paid.”
Following this announcement, some members of the Food Suppliers Association packed their belongings and left the premises of NAFCO, however, a few still remain.
They argue that leaving at this crucial time would nullify their initiatives taken to ensure their receive their money.
There was a tense encounter between Minister for Agriculture Bryan Acheampong and certain minority members of parliament at the Buffer Stock Company, which nearly escalated into a physical altercation.
This occurred when the minority visited the premises to show solidarity with members of the National Food Suppliers Association, who have been picketing at the location since Tuesday, July 4, 2023, and have been sleeping there ever since.
During their visit, while the minority members, led by the Minority Leader, Ato Forson, was being briefed by the Deputy CEO of the company, Bryan Acheampong stormed the venue, confronting the minority and questioning their presence with the press without seeking his permission.
In response, Juaboso MP; Mintah Akandoh clarified that the media present were from the parliamentary press corps.
However, Acheampong dismissed the explanation, pointing to the minority leader, he said, “You can’t do that, you are a former deputy finance minister, what do you know about payment.”
Akandoh countered, saying, “You should be the last person to get angry.”
Minister for Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Bryan Acheampong clashes with minority caucus for visiting picketing Buffer stock company food suppliers over 270 million cedis debt.#GHOneNewspic.twitter.com/2ypMZX8HRn
Acheampong retorted, “Inorganic picketing should not be encouraged. You don’t bring press to a reception. You are a minority leader…” he said again, addressing Ato Forson.
After a few minutes of back-and-forth exchanges, Ellembelle MP, Emmanuel Buah intervened, expressing their willingness to engage in a conversation. Acheampong then directed them to his office, where an in-camera meeting took place, followed by addresses to the aggrieved members.
Acheampong assured the association members that the payment date would be disclosed to them by the end of the day.
The National Food Suppliers Association revealed that the National Buffer Stock Company owes them an amount of GHc 270 million, and they have vowed to remain at the company’s premises until reimbursement is made.
In response, the National Buffer Stock Company expressed sympathy towards the food suppliers and committed to taking appropriate action following an emergency meeting with the Board of Directors.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has summoned the Ministers of Education, Agriculture, and Finance; Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Bryan Acheampong, and Ken Ofori-Atta.
They are required to appear before the House and provide an explanation regarding the government’s indebtedness to the National Food Suppliers Association (NAFSA).
This directive comes in response to a plea made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu.
Ablakwa urged the House to invite the ministers to brief them on the government’s plans for settling a debt of over GH¢270 million owed to the food suppliers.
In light of the situation, the food suppliers have resorted to picketing outside the office of the Buffer Stock Company, demanding payment for their services.
“As the leader of this House, it is important that I keep drawing your attention as the representatives of the people so that you can properly represent the interests of your constituents,” Bagbin said.
“Now this is where we are. So I agree that the Business Committee should schedule for the three ministers to appear before the House. The three ministers are the Ministers of Finance, Food and Agriculture, and Education. They will tell us why the challenge,” Bagbin said.
The Speaker said this would enable the House to assist the Executive in addressing such challenges, adding that “that is why we are establishing a committee on ways and means.”
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has announced that, as part of measures to increase rice seed certification and distribution, a seed monitoring system will be implemented in 2024 to prevent seed adulteration.
The Ministry noted, it has observed over time, that farmers are in need of quality seeds for local rice cultivation as such, the need for a system to trace fake seeds in order to improve yield and harvest.
Speaking at an international symposium on rice seed certification and distribution in Accra, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong announced a consolidated approach to improve the rice seed value chain.
“My Ministry has taken some steps and initiatives to improve the rice seed value chain. We have implemented a seed tracking system on a pilot basis to reduce seed adulteration and faking. We are also building the capacity of seed certification officers and other stakeholders. We are providing improved seed storage and warehousing and cold rooms and also improving the marketing and distribution channels.”
The Minister also disclosed that some notable donor agencies have expressed support for Ghana’s rice sector to increase the harvest.
“It is significant to note that international donor agencies have also expressed their support in the rice sector in some aspects of its value chain to transform it to acceptable standards. Worth mentioning is KOPIA which is going to support the country through the provision of necessary machinery and equipment to further improve the quality of rice seeds in four irrigation schemes.”
Secretary General of the Korean Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA), Dr. Chang Ancheol pledged that it will keep supporting Ghana to become self-sufficient in rice cultivation.
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), an international non-governmental organization, has guaranteed the government of its willingness to promote agricultural development in the country.
It said it had resolved to work with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other stakeholders to continue disseminating sustainable agricultural solutions to improve soil health, ensure food security and increase incomes of actors, especially farmers.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of IFDC, Mr. Henk van Duijn, gave the assurance when he led a delegation to pay a working visit to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Bryan Acheampong, in Accra.
The visit formed part of activities to introduce Mr Duijn, who took over office in January 2023 to strengthen existing relationships, build new strategic partnerships and discuss issues of mutual interest relating to ensuring food security.
He said it was IFDC’s aim to develop and transfer improved production technologies to smallholder farmers while connecting them to efficient and profitable markets.
Mr Duijn noted that IFDC had contributed directly and indirectly to the development of agriculture across the country to promote local economic development.
That, he said had been done through increasing food and agricultural productivity through effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technologies and agribusiness expertise using a bottom-up approach.
IFDC has implemented several projects in Ghana, including the introduction of urea deep placement technology, developing of seed value chain in the northern part of the country.
Mr Acheampong acknowledged the immense contribution of IFDC to the country through MOFA and said the Ministry would continue to work towards making agriculture productive and responsive to the needs of the country.
He recalled that since the companystarted operations in the country in 2002, it had worked with many institutions, including the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Division, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Savannah Agriculture Research Institute to develop innovations and build capacity of personnel.
Mr Acheampong said, “the deepening of the partnership is most relevant now especially with the new focus of turning around the fortunes of the sector and making it meet the consumption, export and industrial demand of the country”.
Ghana’s food productionmay decline this year and in the years to come as a result of the effects of climate change, this is according to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
He explained that the long dry spells, floods and increase in temperature, which were impacting the country’s agriculture sector that was rain-fed, may lead to a one per cent to 2.5 per cent decline in the sphere’s contribution to gross domestic product.
The Minister disclosed this in a speech read for him by Alhaji Mohammed Hardi Tufeeiru, a Deputy Minister of Agriculture, at the opening of the sub-Saharan knowledge exchange conference, in Accra on Wednesday.
He noted that a decline of about seven per cent in food production could lead to food insecurity, poverty, and malnutrition.
The conference was organied by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and partners under the theme, “Investing in Farmer-Led Irrigation Development in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
The two-day event is jointly sponsored by the USAID-funded Innovation Lab for Small-Scale Irrigation (ILSSI), the CGIAR Initiative on West and Central African Food Systems Transformation, the World Bank and Water and Energy for Food.
It will also explore strategies for addressing remaining barriers and gaps through new knowledge and investment actions in the next five years.
Mr Acheampong said the climate crisis posed a serious threat and needed to be addressed through a number of initiatives, particularly harnessing the potential of irrigation to cope with the impact of the climate crisis.
He stated that though the government had undertaken a number of programmes to strengthen and boost the sector, more initiatives were needed to address emerging issues, especially the climate crisis.
“This is where we need the continuous support from businesses, development partners, research and academia and other stakeholders to build climate-resilient food system transformation,” he said.
Dr Olufunke Cofie, the Country Representative – Ghana, Regional Representative – West Africa, IWMI, said research and practice had proven that dry season irrigation could more than double the yields of farmers.
She, however, said land under irrigation cultivation in the continent was below 10 per cent and called for the need to take steps to increase it.
“When farmers are adequately empowered with better market access and all other resources their modest investment will result in substantial gains for themselves and other actors on the value chain,” Dr Cofie said.
She called for more investment in farmer-led irrigation systems to build climate resilience for smallholder farmers and transform food systems to support healthy diets.
Mr Lorenzo Carrera, theSustainable Development Sector Leader, at the World Bank office in Ghana, reiterated that the agricultural sector was highly vulnerable to climate variability and change, as the sector was primarily dependent on rainfall.
He said erratic precipitation patterns had severe consequences for productivity as only two per cent of the country’s irrigation potential was in use.
Mr Carrera said investing in irrigation infrastructure and access to reliable water for agriculture would make a substantial difference in the country’s climate resilience as well as boost production opportunities and livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
Ms Amber Lily Kenny, Feed the Future Coordinator, noted that research and application had shown that there was a high potential for irrigated vegetable production in the country.
She said about 700,000 smallholder farmers in the country were ready to embrace small-scale irrigation over the next 10 years to build resilience to the climate crisis.
Kofi Bentil, senior vice president of IMANI Africa, asserts that Bryan Acheampong, the Abetifi MP, cannot be imprisoned because of his controversial remarks.
In spite of the remarks being offensive, Mr. Bentil claimed that no criminal charges could be brought against them.
He claims that the police will have a difficult time proving their case in court.
On Saturday, April 15, Mr. Bentil made a contribution to JoyNews’ Newsfile show and asked the MP and all politicians to exercise caution when making such statements.
“I have listened to what he said and honestly there is a portion of it that you can take with a pinch of salt as a political speech made in the heat of a moment after a political rally on a political platform.
“Yes, I have condemned it and we must all condemn it but the question is does it rise to the level of a criminal offence for which he must be arrested, investigated and prosecuted and jailed? No, it cannot be proven,” he said.
Abetifi MP Bryan Acheampong has said that the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) will not hand over power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to him, the party will use whatever means necessary to remain in power in the 2024 general election.
He added that if the NDC dares to use threats, and brute force in the 2024 election, the NPP will show them that they have the men.
According to him, the NDC will collapse and the NPP we will show them that “we have the men”.
Mr Acheampong said this will never happen and that the NPP will stand on a platform to hand over power to the NDC.
Following his comments, the NDC through its legal team has petitioned also the CID to immediately arrest and prosecute him.
Per the petition, the NDC called for the arrest and prosecution of the Minister for Food and Agriculture over what they described as “reckless, dangerous, instigation and unparliamentary comments.”
Due to this, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police Service to arrest ex-president John Mahama for allegedly making treasonable remarks.
The National Organiser of the party Henry Nana Boakye popularly known as ‘Nana B’ said the NPP wants the CID to arrest the National Chairman of the opposition NDC, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia.
According to him, Mr Asiedu Nketia has also made comments that portend great danger to the peace and stability of the country.
Former Central Region Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has mounted a strong defence for Abetifi MP, Bryan Acheampong over some comments he recently made.
He says he finds nothing wrong with Mr. Byran Acheampong’s controversial statements that have aroused political sentiments.
The Minister for Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, speechifying before a mammoth NPP supporters, stated emphatically that there is no way the NPP will hand over power to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“If the NDC dares to use threats, violence and foolishness in the 2024 election, we will let them know we have the men. We will show them that we have the men,” he stated.
He also stressed the “NDC party will collapse…We will show them that we have the men. We have the men!…We will make sure NPP remains in government at all cost”.
After making these statements, Mr. Bryan Acheampong has been bombarded with a barrage of criticisms with particularly the NDC petitioning the IGP to arrest him.
Reacting to the issue during Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, Allotey Jacobs exclaimed that he doesn’t “see anything wrong with what Bryan Acheampong said”.
To him, Mr. Bryan Acheampong was possessed by what he called “gbeshie” to pep his party supporters up.
“It could be that he was possessed by ‘gbeshie’ and in one way or other was motivating their footsoldiers because of their large crowd which the other party never expected the NPP, their Unity walk, would have such a crowd,” he stated.
He also described Bryan Acheampong’s comments as a political strategy to debilitate the National Democratic Congress.
Narrating how he used to mobilize NDC footsoldiers to politically attack their opponents, Allotey Jacobs said; “We can group our footsoldiers and brief them as to what to say on a particular station. We tell our serial callers to tow a certain line. I mean it is organizational strategy; communicational strategy. So, Bryan Acheampong also felt that let me motivate my people because sometimes when you see the crowd, something we call in Ga ‘gbeshie’ could arrest you.”
A former National Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Anita De Soso, has slammed the party’s Members of Parliament (MPs) over their complaints following the “NPP will never hand over power to NDC” statement made by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
Speaking in an XYZ TV interview monitored by GhanaWeb on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, De Soso said over 30 NDC MPs took bribes to approve Bryan’s appointment as agriculture minister against the wishes of Ghanaians and the party’s orders but are now crying over his comments.
She added that the NDC MPs should be ashamed for approving Acheampong because their voting for him, in their numbers, is what has emboldened him to speak the way he did.
“We spoke to these MPs, but they did not listen. We suffered and got them to Parliament, but they refused to listen to us when we told them not to approve this man (Bryan Acheampong).
“About 31 NDC MPs voted to approve this man. This is the consequence of your taking bribes to approve him. And I’m praying that at least 10 of you will lose the upcoming primaries so you can come and confess.
“…you think being in Parliament is an opportunity to make money, and you took money to approve him. Today, he is the one paying you back as you deserve. I told you that God would punish you,” she said in Twi.
The former NDC women’s organiser added that if the NDC MPs intended to embarrass former President John Dramani Mahama and the party’s national executives by their decision to approve the government appointees, today they are reaping the seeds they sowed.
She also urged members of the NDC not to worry about Bryan Acheampong’s comments because the NPP can never use violence to win the 2024 elections.
What Bryan Acheampong said:
Bryan Acheampong, after a walk dubbed “Walk to Build A Better Ghana” with a multitude of New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters at Mpreaso-Kwahu in the Eastern Region on Saturday, April 8, 2023, stated that the ruling NPP will never hand over power to the opposition NDC in 2025.
He cautioned that the NPP would show the NDC that they have the “men” should they try to use threats and violence in the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
“The NDC party will collapse. If the NDC dares to use threats, violence, and foolishness in the 2024 election, we will let them know we have the men. We will show them that we have the men.
“We have the men. It will never happen that we, the NPP, will stand on a platform to hand over power to the NDC. It will never happen! We will make sure NPP remain in government at all cost,” Acheampong, who is also the MP for Abetifi, said.
NDC MP’s voting to approve Bryan Acheampong, others:
Parliament on Friday, March 24, approved all six ministerial nominees as well as the nominees of the Supreme Court of President Akufo-Addo after a heated debate, 24 hours earlier and a tense voting process.
Final results declared by Speaker Alban Bagbin showed that all nominees got more votes than the minimum of 138 votes required because out of the 275 eligible voters, there were three absent.
Some Members of Parliament (MPs) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not adhere to the decision of the party to vote against the approval of the nominees.
Kobina Tahir Hammond (MP for Adansi Asokwa) was approved as the Minister of Trade and Industry and Bryan Acheampong (MP for Abetifi) as the Minister of Food and Agriculture.
Other nominees who were approved include Stephen Asamoah Boateng, as Ministry of Chieftaincy; Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State (Ministry of Finance), and Osei Bonsu Amoah, Ministry of Local Government.
Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, was also approved as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
The Supreme Court nominees who were approved include George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
Leading figures in the NDC, including former President John Dramani Mahama, slammed the MPs who broke ranks and have accused them of betraying NDC supporters and Ghanaians for their selfish interest.
The MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has challenged the said MPs, who were allegedly bribed, according to Cape Coast South MP, Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, to come out and tell Ghanaians why they voted to approve Akufo-Addo’s nominees.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has as a matter of urgency, called on the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to finalise its investigations into the 2020 electoral violence and sanction the respective offenders.
According to Mr Ablakwa in a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, addressing past electoral violence would prevent a recurrence, particularly when tension is building up ahead of the 2024 elections.
“When CHRAJ and other institutions show patriotic courage by eventually taking action on the 2020 gruesome killings, they will be helping to prevent an escalation in 2024,” he wrote.
He noted that “the international community is deeply worried particularly about unresolved killings and alarming levels of corruption in Ghana” as captured in the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices published by the U.S. Department of State.
The report highlights the 2020 election killings and how none of the investigations officials announced have been completed, and no perpetrator has been brought to justice.
For Mr Ablakwa, this is significantly troubling as Ghana prepares for another round of presidential and parliamentary elections next year.
Venting his spleen, the North Tongu MP also chastised President Akufo-Addo for his inability to publicly condemn the loss of lives during the previous elections, as well as commiserate with the bereaved families – arguing that his silence has emboldened several others to make statements that derail Ghana’s democracy.
“President Akufo-Addo has heartlessly refused to make any public comment on the killings or commiserate with grieving families even though it occurred under his watch as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and even though he was the greatest beneficiary of that bloody election” he said.
Mr Ablakwa also took a swipe at the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong, for his recent comment over the weekend that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will hold on to power at all cost.
“The likes of BraggadociosBryan Acheampong to (have) lawlessly promise(d) more violence and mayhem during the 2024 election. And as was predicted, the security services have been toothless, helpless and hapless following the now infamous incendiary war mongering statements from the Cabinet Minister,” he bemoaned.
Mr Acheampong’s comments have brought divided opinions from the NPP and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and compelled the National Peace Council to hold a meeting with the political parties over comments inciting violence.
It is in view of this that Mr Ablakwa has charged CHRAJ to expedite investigations into electoral violence that ensued in areas such as Tamale, Techiman, Odorkor, Ablekuma, Savelugu, last two years – leaving about eight people dead.
In 2021, Mr Ablakwa and MP for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah Buah, petitioned CHRAJ to look into the unfortunate incident.
It has been two years and the Commission is yet to provide their findings to the general public.
Bryan Acheampong was born on November 27, 1972. He is a Ghanaian politician and Member of Parliament of Abetifi constituency in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He is a member of the New Patriotic Party of Ghana. He succeeded Peter Wiafe Pepera, who died while in office. He was the Minister of State at the Ministry of Interior between February 2019 to 2020. In 2016, he bought Okwawu United F.C.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong is the current Minister for Food and Agriculture.
He is currently the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs; a Member of the Defence and Interior Committee; a Member of the Appointments Committee, and a Member of the Selection Committee in Parliament.
He is a past Minister of State at the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of National Security.
Dr. Acheampong’s experience spans from Security, Intelligence, Politics, and Business leadership. He is a retired soldier of the US Air Force with training in Anti-Terrorism, Force Protection, Laws of Armed Conflict, Conventional Defence Training, Weapons, Small Arms, and Fuels.
He is a serial entrepreneur – having founded many successful businesses in Technology, Real Estate, Hospitality, and Media landscape.
He has a bachelors degree, three Masters degrees, and a Doctor of Philosophy. Bryan holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems from the University of Ghana Business School, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Johnson and Wales University- USA, a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Applied Intelligence from Georgetown University- USA, a Master of Arts (MA) in Security and Intelligence from the University of Leicester-UK, and a Bachelors degree in Business Management from Johnson and Wales University, USA. H
The lawmaker holds a certificate in Building, Leading, and Sustaining the Innovative Organization from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Effective Leadership in Management and Administration from the University of Ghana Business School, and Public Relations, Advertising, and Marketing from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
He has 14 scholarly publications and Articles to his credit.
His foundation, The Bryan Acheampong Foundation, constantly embarks on Poverty Reduction, Health, Education, and Agriculture programs.
He is not married. He is a Christian and worships as a Presbyterian.
The National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Yammin, has expressed his utmost disappointment in the IGP for glossing over the remarks of Abetifi MP, Bryan Acheampong, suggesting that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will never hand over power.
He stated that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare, will be remembered as the worst IGP ever due to his reluctance to arrest government officials who flout the law.
Joseph Yammin asserted that the IGP has failed to live up to expectations in that regard. He added that Dampare started well, but he is currently hesitant to act where needed.
“Whoever makes such a statement should be arrested, so if the IGP won’t arrest him (Bryan Acheampong).
“Then he doesn’t have balls; the IGP is having a social media account that is only linked to NDC stories, so whatever about NDC, he will see it, but for NPP, no.
“A statement like this from the NPP and IGP has not seen it? But if it was Yammin, it would have popped up on his social media handles to issue a statement to go and arrest Yammin.
“I feel this IGP is not helping Ghanaians; he may go down as the worst IGP even though he started as the best ever to happen to this country because of his steps as IGP.”
Yammin’s comment follows a statement made by the Member of Parliament for Abetifi Constituency in the Eastern region that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is not prepared to hand over power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking in an interview with Neat FM on April 11, 2023, he argued that such a statement has a strong propensity to incite violence in the nation; he also demanded for the member of parliament’s arrest, in line with a request by the party.
Bryan Acheampong is on record as saying the governing New Patriotic Party will do everything within its means to win the 2024 general elections.
According to him, the NPP is not ready to hand over power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC); therefore, his party will go to the election fully prepared.
He stated that the NPP has the men to match the opposition boot for boot during the 2024 polls.
Addressing party faithful after a health walk through the principal streets of Mpraeso on Saturday, April 8, 2023, Bryan Acheampong stressed that “We will show NDC that we have the men if they want to do intimidate, harass us or do anything foolish during the 2024 elections…It will not happen that we will hand over power to NDC. We’ll use any means for NPP to stay in power.”
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has called the bluff of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over their intention to withhold power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) come 2025.
Over the weekend, an NPP MP, Bryan Acheampong, the MP for Abetifi told party faithful that the Party would at all cost win the 2024 general elections.
He added that if the NDC dares to use threats and brute force in the 2024 election, the NPP will show them that “we have the men.”
Reacting to the Mr Acheampong’s statement, Mr Nartey George in a Facebook post over the weekend belittled the armor of the ruling party asking that “people who did a 6 month Military Course now threaten the NDC? I mean how?”
According to him, there is no need to get worried over “the rantings of scarecrows and hype simpletons into cult status.”
He has therefore challenged the NPP to stay true to their words.
“Can we go back to our old days? We are children of a REVOLUTION! Can we call these imposters out and dare them to try? Let’s stop glorifying folks who don’t deserve our attention and focus on what we have to do,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NDC want the Police to execute their mandate and invite the Abetifi MP in for questioning over his “treasonable” statement.
Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam/Adoagyiri Constituency in the Eastern Region, Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh has affirmed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) full support for Minister of Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong’s recent remarks on the NPP’s commitment to retaining power at all costs, despite concerns over potential national security implications.
Mr Acheampong, who is also a former Minister of State in Charge of National Security, made this assertion when he addressed party supporters at Mpraeso on Saturday, 8th April 2023 and emphasised the party’s resolve to never hand over power to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) by any means necessary.
“NDC party will collapse. If the NDC dares to use threats, Violence, and foolishness in the 2024 election, we will let them know we have the men. We will show them that we have the men. We have the men![He screamed to emphasise]. It will never happen that we the NPP will stand on a platform to hand over power to the NDC. It will never happen! We will make sure NPP remain in government at all cost”.
He also stressed his party’s ability to develop the nation by citing how the government’s recent economic interventions have started yielding positive results, reflecting in the stabilisation of the cedi and the reduction in fuel prices.
While several Ghanaians and members of the opposition have condemned Mr Acheampong’s statement, his party however, is full support of his sentiments.
In a Facebook post addressing Mr Acheampong’s critics and those calling for his restraint in addressing such issues as the general elections approach, Mr Annoh-Dompreh expressed total support for his fellow party member and asked all critics to “leave Bryan alone”.
He accused the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hypocrisy in their criticisms.
This is because the NDC in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, directly addressing Mr Acheampong’s comments, chided the MP for his unfortunate words and accused the NPP of attempting to subvert the will of the people in 2024, and assured that the NDC will also do everything possible within its power to protect the democratic will and the sovereignty of the Ghanaian people.
“The NDC, a party that both in the years 2001 and 2017, handed power to NPP when the people of Ghana voted for the NPP, wants to assure Ghanaians that we SHALL DO EVERYTHING that is necessary to protect the democratic will and the sovereignty of the Ghanaian people. We wish to assure the good people of Ghana of our resolve and readiness to do whatever is necessary to preserve the democratic will of the people – even at the peril of our lives. The supreme will of the Ghanaian electorate will be manifested come December 7, 2024.”
In rebuttal, the NPP also dismissed the NDC’s concerns and accused them of having ill-founded and hypocritical motives and thriving on diabolic propaganda with an ill attempt to emotionally blackmail Ghanaians in furtherance of their selfish political interest.
This is not the first time a Ghanaian politician has used strong statements to describe their party’s resilience.
The NPP cited similar statements by former President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC National Chairman, Asiedu Nketiah in previous years and expressed how as such, the NDC has no moral right to condemn or attack Bryan Acheampong.
“If anybody has to be arrested by the Police for treasonable comments, then certainly it is John Dramani Mahama for his continuous “Do or die for the NDC” in reference to the 2024 general elections, and Asidedu Nketiah for his brazen proclamation that members of the NDC are willing to sacrifice their lives to win the 2024 elections.
The use of such strong language in Ghanaian politics is unfortunately common. However, as the country approaches the 2024 general elections, the use of such rhetoric has the potential to compromise national security. It is crucial for all political parties to demonstrate restraint in their language and actions to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral process.
President Akufo-Addo has been accused by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the persistent claim the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will not hand over power to an NDC government in 2024.
The party through its National Organizer Joseph Yammin seems to suggest, persons who are making positions of not handing over power in 2024 and breaking the eight are only taking cues from the President who is just a bad influence.
Mr. Yammin has vowed as long as he remains a leader of the NDC during the election 2024, the NPP wish will only remain that and not a reality.
He spoke in a Facebook live stream monitored by MyNewsGh.com
“As the national organizer, I will not lead the NDC into election 2024 for Bryan Acheampong and the NPP to make such useless statements, this is not the first time such a statement has been made, unfortunately, the president of the republic made a similar statement and I wonder why people with a conscience did not speak against the president. That is the hypocrisy you find in this country, that you have men of God, CSOs that will not see the wisdom in criticizing the president when he makes a statement like that”, he lashed out.
“Nana Akufo-Addo is the first person to say he will hand over to an NPP government, does the president understand the words he was using, and then Lord Commey comes to repeat such nonsense”, he added.
Comments from Abetifi MP, Bryan Acheampong, suggesting that the New Patriotic Party will never hand over power to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) continue to attract backlash from the public.
The MP has been highly criticised by some Ghanaians who believe that the comment is a threat to the security of the country.
Latest to react to the statement is MP for the Madina Constituency, Francis-Xavier Sosu, who has indicated that the NDC will not be intimidated by the statements.
Mr Acheampong, who doubles as Agric Minister, at a New Patriotic Party rally on April 8 is on record to have said the NPP will match the opposition come 2024 and that they were never going to hand over power to the National Democratic Congress.
Sosu via an April 9, 2023 post on Facebook reminded Acheampong that the NDC was birthed from a revolution, stressing in parables that the NDC was ever ready to face the NPP when the need arises.
“We may look like sheep outside but we’re lions within. We’re children of the Revolution and not intimidated by mere vituperations. Ghana will vote NDC in 2024 and would stand by the NDC to take over power from the NPP and nothing will happen. Tsoooooooboi” his post read.
The revolution referred to is the 31st December, 1981 coup that marked the second coming into office of Jerry Rawlings with the Provisional National Defense Council, PNDC.
The council ruled for 11 year till 1992 when Rawlings formed the NDC largely out of the PNDC. He went on to win two elections with the NDC before leaving office in 2000.
Bryan Acheampong booms
Bryan Acheampong‘s controversial views were made at a party rally over the weekend.
He is heard saying in a viral video that the NPP will do everything within its means to win the 2024 general elections.
According to him, the NPP is not ready to hand over power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), therefore, his party will go to the election fully prepared.
He stated that the NPP has the men to match the opposition boot for boot during the 2024 polls.
Addressing party faithful after a health walk through the principal streets of Mpraeso on Saturday, April 8, 2023, Bryan Acheampong stressed that “We will show NDC that we have the men if they want to do intimidate, harass us or do anything foolish during the 2024 elections…It will not happen that we will hand over power to NDC. We’ll use any means for NPP to stay in power.”
The 2024 election appears to be a stiff one as political parties, especially, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are ensuring that the election would be conducted in a free and fair manner.
According to the Member of Parliament for Abetifi Constituency, Bryan Acheampong, the NPP will resist any attempt from the NDC to harass or intimidate its members during the general election.
Addressing party faithful after a health walk through the principal streets of Mpraeso on Saturday, April 8, 2023, Bryan Acheampong said the NPP will prove to the NDC that they have the men should they try anything mischievous on election day.
Amidst shouts and cheers from the party faithful, the NPP MP said, “We will show NDC that we have the men if they want to do intimidate, harass us, or do anything foolish during the 2024 elections…”
“It will not happen that we will hand over power to NDC. We’ll use any means for NPP to stay in power,” he stated.
It would be recalled that Former President John Mahama on March 13, 2023, made the same comments, stating that, the National Democratic Congress will match the New Patriotic Party boot for boot in the 2024 elections if the government attempts to intimidate and harass supporters of the NDC.
He said NDC will be very vigilant at the polling stations during the general elections in 2024.
John Dramani Mahama said this when he addressed party supporters in the Tain and Banda constituency in the Bono East Region.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has cautioned Minister for Agric, Bryan Acheampong to tread cautiously citing his recent statements on never handing over power to the opposition after 2024 polls.
Ablakwa said his colleague MP for Abetifi is better off learning from how real mighty men have been toppled by people power.
He took a swipe at colleague NDC MPs who defied the party late last month to vote in support of the approval of Acheampong as minister. Acheampong was approved with votes from the NDC MPs along with five other appointees of president Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“We blame those treacherous MPs but Braggadocious Bryan Acheampong should learn from history,” Ablakwa said in a social media post that referenced countries where presidents were chased out or deposed by protesters.
“From Sri Lanka, Sudan, Ecuador, Tunisia, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Philippines, Algeria, Guatemala, Egypt, Mali, Bolivia, CAR, El Salvador, Chile to Iranians overthrowing the Shah; history is replete with real mighty men crushed by PEOPLE POWER,” the post added.
Bryan Acheampong booms at Kwahu
Bryan Acheampong is on record as saying the governing New Patriotic Party will do everything within its means to win the 2024 general elections.
According to him, the NPP is not ready to hand over power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), therefore, his party will go to the election fully prepared.
He stated that the NPP has the men to match the opposition boot for boot during the 2024 polls.
Addressing party faithful after a health walk through the principal streets of Mpraeso on Saturday, April 8, 2023, Bryan Acheampong stressed that “We will show NDC that we have the men if they want to do intimidate, harass us or do anything foolish during the 2024 elections…It will not happen that we will hand over power to NDC. We’ll use any means for NPP to stay in power.”
According to him, the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government is doing all it takes to stabilize and reboot the economy which has suffered from the aftershocks of COVID and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war.
He told party faithful at a rally in the Eastern Region on April 8, that by June, July 2023, a deal will be secured with the multilateral lender.
“Due to the challenges encountered by the economy in recent times the opposition NDC think they will win power.
“But the government has instituted measures to salvage the situation with impact already showing in the reduction in fuel prices and appreciation of the Ghana cedi against the major foreign currencies.
“The NDC was thinking that the election will be held at a period where the economy has been entangled with difficulties but the government will fix the challenges before that.
“I promise that by June/July this year the government will be able to secure a deal from the IMF to help drive the economy out of its current economic challenges and this will subsequently collapse the NDC,” he said in Twi.
Government hoped to secure a Board approval of the IMF for a US$3billion facility after securing a staff-level agreement late last year.
Government is looking to secure external debt restructuring agreements after a tumultuous domestic debt exchange programme was passed earlier this year.
A March ending timeline was missed but there has yet to be any official communication of when the approval is likely to be secured.
Bryan Acheampong, the minister of food and agriculture, is optimistic that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government will be able to reach a settlement in the months of June and July of this year.
He claimed that doing so would aid in economic stabilisation and alleviate citizens of the pressing financial issues that the opposition National Democratic Congress had turned into a talking point (NDC).
He added that the opposition NDC’s chances of winning the 2024 general elections would be destroyed by a growing economy since it might not have any relevant campaign messaging for Ghanaians.
Campaign message
Addressing New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters at Mpraeso in the Eastern Region on Saturday morning at the end of a health walk as part of activities marking this year’s Kwahu Easter, Mr Acheampong noted that the NDC would collapse without a campaign message before the next elections.
“Due to the challenges encountered by the economy in recent times the opposition NDC think they will win power.
But the government has instituted measures to salvage the situation with impact already showing in the reduction in fuel prices and appreciation of the Ghana cedi against the major foreign currencies.
“The NDC was thinking that the election will be held at a period where the economy has been entangled with difficulties but the government will fix the challenges before that.
“I promise that by June/July this year the government will be able to secure a deal from the IMF to help drive the economy out of its current economic challenges and this will subsequently collapse the NDC,” he said in Twi.
We have the men
Mr Acheampong who is also the NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for Abetifi indicated that the NPP has been endowed with the skills and men to stop the NDC from misbehaving or instigating any trouble in the upcoming elections.
He said the NPP would take necessary steps to retain power in the 2024 elections.
“Handing over power to the NDC as a result of the 2024 elections will not happen,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo says the parliamentary approval of his ministers despite the drama demonstrates their competence for the job.
The nominees which include Kobina Tahir Hammond, Bryan Acheampong and others were subjected to a secret ballot before their approval was sealed.
At the swearing-in ceremony at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, President Akufo-Addo called on them to exhibit a high sense of duty and professionalism to help the government address the current difficulties facing the economy.
“Even at the stage of voting in the House, the majority of the members from both sides of the divide believed in your competence and went ahead to give you the nod.
“You have joined the government at the last line of its mandate with about 19 months to go, but I’m confident that there is enough time to make a difference and significant contributions. Your various competencies, experiences and talents make it distinctly possible,” he said
Two new Supreme Court judges, Justice George Kingsley Koomson and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu were also sworn in with a call on them to be fair and just in the delivery of justice.
Justice George Kingsley Koomson says they will not sacrifice their neutrality on the bench.
“We will continue to serve in dignity, respect, and in honesty. That we shall always protect the fundamental human rights of our people. We are committed to serving with professionalism and impartiality.
“We recognise the enormous nature of the work and the responsibility that comes with it, however, promise to give decisions that are just, fair and in accordance with the law,” he stated.
The new Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, received the highest votes cast by Members of Parliament on Friday, March 24, 2023, to determine whether or not to approve the appointees of the president.
In total, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, told the House that there were 275 MPs eligible to vote, 3 absentees, and 272 valid votes cast.
At the end of the secret vote, Bryan Acheampong received 167 Yes votes, 98 No votes, and 1 rejected vote.
According to the records on the day, there were 136 MPs apiece on both the Majority and the Minority sides of the House, however, the votes that were cast for all the nominees, were in outright majority.
In the specific case of Bryan Acheampong, who is also the MP for Abetifi, with a total valid vote of 167, it meant that he clearly had an extra 31 votes from the Minority side.
This is the case because, what was certain going into the vote was that all the MPs from the Majority side (New Patriotic Party; also the party in power) were going to give a Yes vote to the nominees.
The Minority MPs had also sent a very clear message about their position on the fact that they would not approve the appointees of the president.
They had given their reasons that the government was overcrowded and that there was the need for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to downsize his government instead so that the public purse is not further under pressure.
Arguments from the debates on the approval of the nominees, plus some two other appointees for the Supreme Court of Ghana, had all indicated that the Minority were going to reject the nominees.
However, in the evening of Friday, March 24, when the House held a secret vote on the matter, all the results came out in favour of the nominees, as all of them were confirmed.
Some of the MPs from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have since openly expressed their disappointments in the way things turned out, with some of them describing the outcome as a betrayal.
This is how the MPs voted on the day for the ministers:
Total eligible 275
Absentees = 3
Total valid votes = 272
KT Hammond, Minister for Trade and Industry
Yes = 154 No = 116 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 1
Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Yes = 167 No = 98 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 3
Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
Yes = 147 No = 122 Abstention = 3
Mohammed Amin, Minister of State at the Presidency
Yes = 152 No = 117 Rejected = 1 Abstentions = 2
Osei Bonsu Amoah, Minister of Local Government and Decentralization
Yes = 149 No = 120 Abstentions = 2
Stephen Amoah, deputy minister of Trade and Industry
The Minority caucus in Parliament is demanding that the voting onPresident Akufo-Addo‘s candidates be completed today.
After Speaker Alban Bagbin suspended the session because neither side could agree on how to vote for the confirmation of four Supreme Court Justices, as well as Ministers and Deputy Ministers nominated by President Akufo-Addo, there was an uproar in Parliament.
The Majority demanded that voting for the Supreme Court Justicesand the Ministers be done concurrently, but the Minority insisted that voting and counting be done separately.
The Majority also demanded that MPs from their side openly display their vote, but that was immediately shot down by the Minority who demanded that voting be done in secret.
The Minority led by Cassiel Ato Forson vehemently rejected the proposal of the Majority and urged the Speaker to allow MPs to vote in secret.
Speaking after the sitting was suspended, the Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson insisted that they will not have the voting any other day than today.
“We want the voting today, Friday, March 24, 2023, and not any other day. We urge those on the Majority side to return to Parliament immediately, so we vote.”
“We are ready with all our MPs and want the voting right away.”
Prior to the vetting of the newly nominated ministers on Monday, February 20, 2023, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) directed the Minority group not to approve them, describing their appointments as an insensitive move that would increase the government’s expenditure in the midst of an economic mess.
The nominated ministers include the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond as the Minister for Trade and Industry with the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr. Stephen Amoah serving as his deputy.
The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong, was also appointed as the Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Stephen Asamoah Boateng was appointed as the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs among others.
The Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has bragged about his ability to revamp Ghana’s food and agricultural industry.
Speaking during his vetting for the position on Monday, February 20, 2023, Bryan Acheampong said that as Food and Agriculture Minister, he will champion the vision of the government and ensure that, together with the staff at the ministry, all the targets set are attained.
He added that his ability to solve the challenges facing Ghana is evident by his creativity, which helped the country resolve the age-old problem of ghost names on the payroll of the government.
“My job principally is to ensure that the vision of government is sharpened, the objectives so set explained, and I lead a team in the ministry to attain a different much higher productivity.
“In fact, if you look at my background, I did a project at the Controller and Accountant General’s Department. It was not possible to solve this ghost names problem; it has bedeviled this country for so many years.
“In the last 8 years, my software has removed about 60,000 people (ghost names) from the payroll. Before we started it looked impossible but we studied the problem, we designed a solution and we implemented it with the same people at Accountant General Department and we achieved the results,” he said.
He reiterated that just like he helped solve the problem of ghost names on the government’s payroll, he will work with the same public servants at the Ministry of Agriculture to find solutions to the problems in the sector.
The minister-designate for food and agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has referenced God’s omnipotence to support his claim that he qualifies for appointment as a minister.
Speaking during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, who was also the Minister for National Security during the time the violence of the Ayawaso West Wuogon bye-election happened, said that he has been vindicated of any wrongs.
He explained that he has always known a day like this would come up when he would have to clarify his involvement in the matter.
Indicating that he has a clear conscience, he referred to the God of the Presbyterian Church to make his case.
“The Presbyterian God is a powerful one and I knew that a day would come when I’d get the opportunity to explain, and lift the veil surrounding the Ayawaso West Wuogon, and I’m grateful that I have the opportunity today.
“For those who want to believe me, I’m sure they’ve moved on, and for those who don’t want to believe me, I don’t think this will even provide the opportunity, but as long as I’ve been heard and my conscience is clear, I think I will be able to move on.
“But, secondly on the matter of me being indicted, I think that I applied to become a candidate of the New Patriotic Party in the 2020 elections and I was accepted, and it pre-supposes that nothing holds me from becoming a minister of state,” he said.
The Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong was taken aback over how he was seriously interrogated by Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson whom he considered a friend.
Mr. Acheampong, who thought his friendship with the Minority Leader will save him from being grilled when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, had his hopes dashed.
While he was receiving punches from the Minority Leader, he exclaimed: “Ato you are my friend. Today, you don’t trust me? Ei Ato. You should be testifying on my credibility”.
In response, Dr. Forson who is also the Member of Parliament for the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam constituency in the Central Region said he was only doing his job as expected of him by Ghanaians.
“We are here for the people of Ghana, so we have to ask the questions that are needed.”
Dr. Forson was interrogating Bryan Acheampong, a former Minister of State at the National Security Ministry, on the role he played that led to the disturbances at the by-election held in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency on January 31, 2019.
The Abetifi lawmaker vehemently rejected claims that he deployed national security operatives to unleash mayhem at Ayawaso West Wuogon.
“In the 500-plus page report [of the Commission of Inquiry], there wasn’t any part that mentioned that I authorized it. So everybody including myself was surprised and afraid that my name found expression in the conclusion that I should be reprimanded. That is why the White Paper rejected that recommendation because it failed to establish the factual basis that I authorized that operation.”
The minister-designate for agriculture, Bryan Acheampong has described the report by the commission of enquiry that investigated the Ayawso West Wuogon by-election violence, as unfair to him.
According to the former Minister of State in Charge of National Security, the Emil Short Commission was not fair to him when it ultimately blamed him for the violence and recommended that he be reprimanded.
Answering questions posed to him during his vetting at parliament’s Appointment Committee sitting, the nominee said he did not authorise the operation by some National Security SWAT officers that led to some injuries on politicians during the January 31, 2019, incident.
“In the 500-plus page report [of the Commission of Inquiry], there wasn’t any part that mentioned that I authorized it. So everybody including myself was surprised and afraid that my name found expression in the conclusion that I should be reprimanded. That is why the White Paper rejected that recommendation because it failed to establish the factual basis that I authorized that operation.”
The Ayawaso West by-election took place on 31 January 2019 after the death of the incumbent MP Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko on 21 November 2018. Lydia Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party was elected with 69% of the vote.
Violence erupted in the La-Bawaleshie polling station two hours after the election had started, though there was no death recorded there where casualties who sustained life threatening injuries.
A government commission of enquiry report indicted the then minister and recommended that Mr Bryan Acheampong be reprimanded.
“I am not anticipating the minister-designate for agriculture to go and also transform the agricultural ministry into a farm gate; my expectations are that he will address the wrongs at the agricultural ministry.
“I am expecting him to come up with policies, I am expecting him to ensure that the smuggling of cocoa beans will be stopped and that using his security knowledge, he will be able to stop the flow of stolen fertilisers that we use taxpayers money to import.
“I am expecting him to ensure that those who are benefiting largely from the smuggling of fertilisers, he will stop it, get them arrested and prosecuted. And also ensure that he comes up with good policies that will help the ordinary farmer,” Dr Bonaa told GhanaWeb in an interview.
The outgoing minister during his tenure spearheaded some of the government’s flagship policies including the Planting for Food and Jobs policy.
On the back of the recent rise in food prices, the ministry under Dr Akoto’s leadership introduced an open market at the ministry dubbed the Planting for Food and Jobs Market.
Critics of the outgone minister say he failed in his duty although Mr Akoto vehemently argued otherwise.
Describing the current state of the agric ministry as petty, Dr Bonaa further challenged the incoming minister to redeem the image of the agric sector in Ghana by turning things around.
“At the moment it looks so petty, the agric ministry has suffered. You know how much food crops cost today in this country. I do believe that he should also take what we have done in the past. Some of the best persons who helped this country in terms of agric; animal husbandry and the rest actually had security background. Look at the famous operation feed yourself, was it not led by Acheampong?
“When you take Major Courage Quoshigah when he was the agric minister we all saw what happened to the agric ministry in this country. So I am expecting Bryan Acheampong to use the skills and expertise he has gained over the years at the back of security and as other security persons have done, to raise the bar a lot higher,” he stated.
He also urged the incoming minister to solve the ever-present conflict between farmers and nomadic herdsmen using his background in security.
Currently a member of parliament, Bryan Acheampong is a former Minister of State at the Ministry of the Interior and the former Minister of State at the Ministry of National Security.
With a history as a retired soldier of the US Air Force, Bryan Acheampong’s experience spans Security, Intelligence, Politics, and Business Leadership.
His expertise includes Anti-Terrorism, Force Protection, Laws of Armed Conflict, Conventional Defence Training, Weapons, Small Arms, and Fuels. His experience spans Security, Intelligence, Politics, and Business Leadership.
Following the resignation of two ministers, Dailyguide has reported that the Akufo-Addo-led administration may soon undergo a reorganization of its cabinet.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Owusu Afriyie Akoto tendered in a resignation from his role as state minister on Tuesday, following the resignation of the Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen some few days ago.
According to Daily Guide, even though the President had on several platforms justified the inclusion of his ministerial team, the pullout of the two ministers has made it inevitable to reshuffle the team with possible merging of some ministries.
It is also expected that, Water and Sanitation will be collapsed with Sanitation joining Local Government and Water Resources going back to Works and Housing.
Per the article published by the Daily Guide, unconfirmed sources revealed that former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu may make his way to join the government.
The source also revealed that, the reshuffle may affect the MP for Abetifi and former Minister of State for National Security, Bryan Acheampong, who have been tipped for the Agric and Transport Ministries as well as National Security.
Speaking to EIB subsidiary station in Nkawkaw, Agoo FM, one of the Assembly members who led the protest, Boamah Alexander said the nomadic herdsmen are destroying their farms with impunity and unleashing terror on farmers.
He alleged that many farmers have been attacked by lawless herdsmen.
The farmers petitioned the Member of Parliament for Abetifi Constituency Bryan Acheampong, Kwahu Tafo Chief, and the Kwahu East Assembly.
“We the farmers of Kwahu Tafo write with great concern this petition to bring to your notice the difficulties and challenges we are going through as a result of the presence of Fulani herdsmen in our community. Some of us cultivate cash crops especially cocoa and the majority of us are subsistence farmers who grow crops like maize, cassava, yam and cocoyam, tomatoes, pepper, carrots, cabbage, green pepper, and cucumber” excerpts of the petition stated.
“Our concern is that, the herdsmen allow their cattle to come to our farms and destroy our crops. The destruction of our crops usually occurs in night. The following morning we go to our farms to find out our crops have been completely destroyed. In some cases, they deliberately burn the bush in which the new growth serves as grazing ground for their animals”.
The farmers alleged that “most of the herdsmen armed themselves with rifles when they walk around in the bush which in itself is very intimidating. We are experiencing untold hardship as a result of their nefarious activities which are adversely affecting our farming activities and livelihood and thereby posting a threat to our very existence. We are therefore presenting this petition to you to bring to the fore the plight of farmers of Kwahu Tafo as a result of the presence of Fulani herdsmen on our farmlands”
The aggrieved farmers are demanding an immediate clamp down on the herdsmen.
“We are by this petition demanding the removal of these herdsmen from our farmlands to enable us farm peacefully. We count so much on your kind cooperation in this regard and look forward to a swift response to our plea”.
Kwahu Afram Plains area is notorious for fatal clashes between farmers and nomadic herdsmen particularly during the dry season.
General Secretary of the Tabital Pulaaki International, Ghana Chapter, Yakubu Musah Barry has called on government and the National Security Ministry to check the illegal entry of hundreds of Fulani herdsmen from Saharan countries to Ghana during dry seasons.
He said the situation is not only a threat to national security but also to food security.
He said some of these nomadic herdsmen may be kidnappers, hardened criminals, or terrorists who enter the country unchecked and commit atrocities and crimes in farming communities.
Government established a cattle ranch at Wawase to address their situation however many of the herdsmen have abandoned the facility.
The foundation is targeting senior High School leavers, with a minimum grade of 8 and qualified to enter into a tertiary institutions and students undergoing a course at the tertiary level and maintaining a GPA of 3.0 but whose education is on deferment due to financial challenges.
The call for application which commences on 27th July, 2020 and expected to close on August, 22nd 2020 is a set of scholarships which serves as part of a wider educational framework objective focused on bettering the educational lives of student indigenes who are unable to enter into or continue their tertiary education due to the lack of financial support.
In all, a total of 1000 (One thousand) tertiary students across the country are expected to benefit from the scholarship package that will cater for the entire cost of their admission, tuition fees and academic research; as part of the education policy.
To qualify under this scheme, a beneficiary must be: A resident or indigene of Kwahu.
A Senior High School leaver with a minimum grade of 8 who qualifies to enter into a tertiary institution or a student undergoing a course at the tertiary level and maintaining a GPA of 3.0 but whose education is on deferment due to financial challenges.
Unable to financially support financial obligations owed to the tertiary institution.
An active participant in extracurricular activities such as sports, crafts, debating, etc. with award-winning achievements in such fields. A student with proven leadership abilities.
One can apply by visiting: https://bit.ly/3f32iZG or or contact the following numbers; +233 24 448 2876 / +233 54 700 7083 Email: info@bryanacheampongfoundation.com
General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has said that the transfer of Former National Security Minister, Bryan Acheampong to the Interior Ministry is just a move to rig the upcoming elections come December 2020.
According to him, his reshuffle has given him the legitimate authority to deploy vigilante forces they have trained in the police service during the elections.
These actions he says justify their notion that Akufo-Addo is not ready to ensure that the upcoming elections is free and fair.
Speaking in an interview with Ghanaweb, the General Secretary said, “I believe that it is a cork in the whole orchestration to rig the elections because this is somebody who deployed task force to create mayhem at a by-election for which reason a commission was established, a commission came to declare that action unlawful and they recommended that the group should be disbanded, he himself should be punished and so on. One of the reasons of the recommendation is that the National Security had no role to play in election security.â€
He added that Akufo-Addo has disregarded that Emile Short Commission which made recommendations about punishments for his role in the Ayawaso West Wougon by-election Mayhem.
“So now what Akufo-Addo has done is to tell the Emile Short Commission to go to hell to tell anybody who is worried about vigilantism and so on to go to hell and through this action is going to legitimize of Bryan Acheampong and give him the legitimate authority now to deploy the task force they have trained and embedded in the police service to now go and be deployed for elections security and you know what it means. If you have vigilante of one party that is contesting election being the one that are going to be deployed in the uniforms of Ghana Police service to go and take charge of election security it tells you that the president is not minded to go into any fair elections.†He said
Nana Akufo-Addo has reassigned two ministers according to a statement from the presidency signed by Eugene Arhin.
The first is Bryan Acheampong who is the Minister of State at the Ministry of National Security. He has been reassigned and is now the Minister of State at the Ministry of Interior.
Henry Quartey, current Deputy Minister for Interior is now the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of National Security.
Reasons for their reassignment were not provided. Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has assured that he will do his best to maintain the democratic credentials of the country and work to promote free and fair elections in the 2020 polls.
