Confusion broke out between some Members of Parliament on Friday on the premises of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) during a working visit.
In a video circulating, the Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong was seen in a heated verbal altercation with members of the Minority Caucus who were at NAFCO to demand answers as to why the picketing food suppliers have not been paid their arrears.
The members of the Minority Caucus were the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Juaboso MP, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ellembelle MP Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah and Adaklu MP, Kwame Agbodza.
Although the details are not clear, the Minister could be heard telling the Minority Leader that “You are a former Deputy Finance Minister, what do you know about these payments? What do you know about payments that have been delayed.”
In response to him, Mintah Akandoh told him “You should be the last person to get angry, we are finding a solution.”
The Minister, in turn, fumed and can be heard telling the Minority Leader, “You are a leader, and you don’t bring the press to a discussion.”
Food suppliers are currently picketing the premises of NAFCO to demand payment for food supplied to the company.
According to the suppliers, NAFCO owes them over two years of arrears and all attempts to recoup monies owed to them proved futile.
In a statement released by the company on Thursday, July 6, 2023, the management and board acknowledged its indebtedness to food suppliers.
They also assured the suppliers that they were discussing ways to liaise with the Ministry of Finance to pay their arrears.