The minister in charge of food and agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has assured food suppliers of payment of arrears owed beginning Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Food suppliers across the country have been picketing at the office of the National Buffer Stock for weeks due to some GH270m arrears owed them since 2022.
After several weeks of picketing to let authorities heed their cry, the government has finally released some GHS100 million to settle the food suppliers.
The National Food Suppliers Association (NFSA) said at a press conference that the government has reneged on its promise to settle the debt on Monday, July 17.
But in Parliament on Tuesday, July 18, the Minister said “Hopefully, payment will commence on Wednesday, and in a month’s time, the total payment will be made”.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong also mentioned that he was surprised with the happenings for the past weeks since his ministry has no challenges with the suppliers.
“All the happenings have been taken in good faith and will continue to work with food suppliers”, the Minister stressed.
Responding to the minister’s assurance, some Members of Parliament commended Dr. Bryan Acheampong’s efforts to settle the food suppliers, adding that since he assumed office as the minister, he has made sure his office finds solutions to problems in the agricultural sector.
