Bryan Acheampong
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has stated that the government still owes the National Food Suppliers Association GH¢100 million after the 50% payout.
According to him, the government owed the National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO) over GH¢203 million, noting that the Buffer Stock has done business with suppliers to the tune of GH¢2,705,408,476.58 since 2017.
Briefing Parliament on the status of payment after picketing at the premises of Buffer Stock, Mr. Acheampong said in 2017 trading between the two parties amounted to GH¢81.1 million.
In 2018, it reached GH¢296 million, and GH¢441 million in 2019 and GH¢467 million in 2020 and GH¢692 million in 2021 and GH¢726 million in 2022.
“Buffer Stock has made payments in respect of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 in full. In 2022, of GH¢726,617,881, GH¢500 million has been paid to the suppliers,” he told Parliament.
“We still owe suppliers a little of GH¢203 million. Such release, Mr. Speaker, we have sent to the Finance [Ministry] and last we received GH¢100 million which is 50 percent of what is due the suppliers,” he stressed.
The Agriculture Minister stated that the funds had been transferred to the Buffer Stock and that they hoped to send 50% payment to suppliers by mid-week.
“I have also assured the suppliers that by 17th August, as we commenced the payment of the 50 percent on 17th of July, 2023, we will pay them. We have kept faith with the Buffer Stock suppliers.
“We don’t have challenges with the suppliers. We are extremely surprised about the happenings in the last two weeks but we take it in good faith and we will continue to work with them,” Mr. Acheampong indicated.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House