The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Food Buffer Stock Company, Mr Hanan Abdul Wahab has refuted allegation that he has refused to pay suppliers after the government released funds to the company.
According to him, the Buffer Stock Company is an open institution where nothing is done in secrecy adding that the Akufo-Addo government will not even sit aloof to allow him to perpetuate such impunity if only those allegations were found to be true.
Mr Hanan said payments to suppliers are done in batches and therefore monies are also released in such a pattern.
He said the last payment at the company was done in November 2021, “if money is released today, we will go back to start payment from December. I cannot jump off old debts and pay new ones.
In an interview with the REPUBLIC PRESS, the CEO described those allegations as pure mischief and propaganda aimed at tarnishing his image, and the company.
He said things were working smoothly for the company since the introduction of the free Senior High School policy until the outbreak of Covid-19 and recently the Russia-Ukraine war but even with that funds paid by the government to the company have been consistent.
“It is not true that government has released funds for suppliers to be paid while we sit on the money but with the kind of conversation I have had with the Ministry of Finance, some of the batches would be paid soon,” he stated.
Mr Hanan said Buffer Stock Company holds the suppliers in high esteem to the extent they have to go the extra mile to supply food and other commodities to ensure that schools are not closed down due to shortage.
The issue of food supply to schools goes beyond the company because it has become a National Security concern so no government will release funds to be paid to suppliers and those funds would not be used for their intended purposes and still keep quiet without sacking the authorities.
“I want to use this opportunity to commend the hard-working staff of the company who have to work around the clock to ensure that supplies get to the schools despite huge challenges.”
Progress
He said the company under his leadership has successfully reduced its dependence on food imports as it has found a local replacement for many of the items adding that there has been a conscious effort to localize a number of the products.
