Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto has been advised by a group calling itself the Concerned Farmers Association to be wary of technocrats working in the ministry as directors and technical advisors.
“Directors and technical advisors who are suppose to work harder to boost agricultural production in the country have different agenda” Nana Oboodia Obambour Boateng Bonsu, president, Concerned Farmers Association told Sikka FM in Kumasi.
“Their interest is holding big workshops and seminars for themselves where they can divert monies into their pockets”
According to the president of the group, the so called technocrats are only working to benefit themselves instead of farmers whose ultimate aim is to feed the country.
Nana Boateng Bonsu alleged that their information has it that staff of the ministry collude with some farmers in the neighboring countries to divert subsidized fertilizers
He called on government to involve them in the distribution of the fertilizers for transparency purposes to help members benefit.
The leader of the group also called for reduction in agricultural inputs and the service charges of Agriculture Extension Officers to make the business more lucrative.
