General News of Monday, 20 August 2018
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
2018-08-20
The Minister implored security heads to collaborate effectively to tackle the unfortunate act
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has tasked security agencies and MMDCEs not to shield any individual or groups engaged in the smuggling of fertiliser across the nation’s borders to the neighbouring countries.
Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said the ministry has resolved to stump out saboteurs and criminals engaged in the smuggling of the produce, irrespective of their political affiliation.
The Minister further cautioned that any company/supplier implicated in the illegal act would also have their contracts revoked by the Ministry.
Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto gave the warning at Tamale when he met with heads of security agencies, MMDCEs and fertiliser suppliers in the northern regions.
According to him, the time has come for government to take bold steps to weed out miscreants and nationwreckers who are bent on pursuing their individual selfish interest at the expense of the entire nation.
“I am charging you not to shield any individual irrespective of his or her political affiliation. We cannot allow few people to profit illegally at the expense of our poor farmers” He said.
The Minister observed that government’s resolve to improve the condition of farmers in the country through the supply of subsidized seeds and fertilizers would be severely hampered if the perennial act of fertiliser smuggling is not nipped in the bud.
He therefore implored the security heads drawn from the Police, Customs, Prisons and the Military to collaborate effectively in tackling the unfortunate act.
Under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme, the government supplies fertilizers to registered farmers at highly subsidized prices.
This is done through a coupon system operated by the District Agriculture Offices across the country.
However, there have been reports of alleged fertiliser smuggling to some neighbouring countries.