We didn’t hoard fertilizer, we served with pride under Akufo Addo – former UE MDCEs
According to the former MDCEs, an allocation letter from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, signed by the then Acting Chief Director on behalf of Dr Acheampong, was dated 27th November 2024.
Former Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) in the Upper East Region have refuted claims made by former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong, that fertilizer meant for farmers was delivered months before the 2024 general elections, but were hoarded by local officials for political or personal gain.
Speaking at a press conference, former Builsa South District Chief Executive Daniel Kwame Gariba, said the former DCEs insist that the fertilizer allocations were, in fact, issued just days before the elections, making widespread distribution practically impossible.
According to the former MDCEs, an allocation letter from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, signed by the then Acting Chief Director on behalf of Dr Acheampong, was dated 27th November 2024. The letter notified Regional Directors of Agriculture of the fertilizer and maize allocations to be distributed to various districts.
The former DCEs maintained that this timing contradicts Dr Acheampong’s public assertion that deliveries had been made months in advance.
“The facts speak for themselves. Only about 5% of the total allocation reached the districts during the week of the elections. This made it impossible to undertake any meaningful distribution, given the timing and logistical challenges.”
Waybills and records attached to the DCEs’ statement showed that several districts in the Upper East Region received limited supplies between November 27 and December 10, 2024, just days before and even after election week.
For instance, the Binduri District, with over 45,000 registered farmers, was allocated inputs for 25,000 farmers, approximately 75,000 bags of fertilizer. However, only 3,000 bags were delivered between December 4 and 10.
The Builsa South, with 8,000 farmers, received just 963 bags of NPK and 1,000 bags each of Urea and maize between November 27 and December 4.
Similar shortfalls were recorded across other districts, including Bolgatanga, Bongo, Nabdam, and Kassena Nankana West. The group argued that such limited deliveries, arriving just three days before the polls, could not have been distributed effectively.
“Who were we going to give it to and leave who?” they asked rhetorically.
The former DCEs also noted that the period coincided with an intense election campaign, during which most MMDCEs were engaged in political activities and meetings to secure votes for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). This, they said, further complicated efforts to manage fertilizer distribution.
They rejected the suggestion that they collectively conspired to hoard or divert the inputs, describing the allegation as “false, malicious, and without basis.”
“Was it a coincidence that all 15 constituencies in the Upper East, six in the North East, and 11 in the Upper West Regions were unable to distribute fertilizer?” they asked. “Clearly, this was a logistical and timing issue, not corruption or hoarding.”
Apology
The former DCEs expressed disappointment in Dr Acheampong, accusing him of deliberately misleading the public despite being aware of the Ministry’s own timelines and challenges at the time.
“We find it deeply troubling that Dr Acheampong, who himself was directly involved in the sector, would choose to misinform the public for political gain,” they said.
They called for an immediate retraction and public apology from Dr Acheampong and urged the media and public to treat his claims with the contempt they deserve.
“We, the former DCEs of the Upper East Region, take pride in the service we rendered under President Akufo-Addo’s administration. We will not sit quietly while falsehoods are peddled to undermine our reputation and the good work we did for our people,” they declared.
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