Tensions ran high at the premises of the National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited when the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, engaged in a heated confrontation with the Minority leadership over the picketing of food suppliers.
The clash, which nearly turned violent, unfolded amidst growing concerns about a GH¢270 million debt owed the members as two years arrears.
Members of the National Food Suppliers Association in a bid to pile pressure on the government to offset their debts have for four days now been picketing at the Food Buffer Stock despite an assurance from the government that their debts will be settled.
The rough weather conditions under which the food suppliers were sleeping touched the hearts of the Minority in Parliament who stormed the scene of the picketing to show solidarity.
However, midway through the interactions with the Deputy CEO of Buffer Stock, Kofi Amankwah, the Minister drove into the compound of NAFCO and in a confrontational mood, accused the four-member Minority team, led by Leader, Dr Ato Forson of politicizing the issue for their own gain.
The exchange became increasingly heated when the Minister questioned why the Minority MPs were given impetus to an “inorganic picketing.”
“You are a former Deputy Finance Minister, what do you know about these payments? What do you know about payments that have been delayed…..You can’t do this. This inorganic picketing should not be accepted,” the visibly angry-looking Bryan said when he barged into the discussion between the MPs and the deputy CEO.
In response, the Member of Parliament for Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh who wasn’t enthused with how Bryan was questioning his leaders, called the Minister to order.
“You should be the last person to get angry. Are we not Members of Parliament? Are we, not stakeholders, and you come and shout at us? It is quite disrespectful,” the Juaboso MP barked.
The Minister, in turn, fumed saying to Dr Ato Forson, “You are a leader, and you don’t bring the press to a discussion.”
On his part, the Minority Leader questioned the arrogant posturing of the Minister.
“You like attacking me anytime. I’m here to address, desist from those attacks on me. Stop that attitude of yours,” Dr Ato Forson shot back in the full glare of the media and onlookers.
Addressing the picketers, the Minority Leader condemned the government’s negligence and demanded immediate action to address the concerns of the suppliers.
He however promised to make their grievances known to the plenary when the three Ministers of Agric, Finance and Education are summoned to the House next week.
On his part, Bryan Acheampong defended the government’s efforts in addressing the money owed to the suppliers. He asserted that the delayed payments were not intentional and attributed them to administrative issues. He assured me that the payments owed to the suppliers will be settled in the coming days.
The Minority MPs presented some packs of Papaye to the food suppliers who have been at the mercy of mosquitoes and the vagaries of the weather for four nights.
The Minority caucus comprised the Leader, Dr Ato Forson, Deputy Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Juaboso MP, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. Also with the team was the NDC’s parliamentary for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
Watch the full video of the altercation below:
Minority leadership and Agric Minister Dr. Bryan Acheampong clash at Buffer Stock Company headquarters. #JoyNews pic.twitter.com/2ueibWt72t
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) July 7, 2023
