I’ll prosecute greedy criminals who smuggle PFJ Fertilizer – Akufo Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has promised the prosecution of persons particularly personnel of security agencies who are caught aiding in the smuggling of fertilisers meant for farmers under the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program.

Following the launch of the farming season and distribution of fertiliser under an agricultural sector support program called Planting for Food and Jobs, Ghanaian farmers are expected to enjoy a subsidy on fertilizer under the program.

Though some new modalities were introduced this year to curb the smuggling of the Planting for Food and Jobs fertilizer, there have been reports of smuggling of the products to neighbouring countries with several thousand bags impounded at various borders in the country.

Addressing a durbar of Chiefs and people of Navrongo in the Upper East region on Wednesday covered by MyNewsGh.com, the President commended security agencies in the region and the Upper East Regional Minister Ms Tangoba Abayage for their efforts in seizing loads of PFJ fertilizer which were being smuggled.

The President charged the people of the Upper East region to be vigilant and expose government and security officials who engage or aide in the smuggling of subsidized fertilizer to neighbouring countries.

“It is all of us our money which is inside the program. It is not just the farmers. People sitting in the offices in Accra and Navrongo are all contributing then we have a handful of greedy criminals and they would use our money and smuggle our things to Burkina Faso. Am appealing to all of you, the traditional rulers and the entire population to bind together to stop this smuggling of our fertilizers to Burkina Faso” he said.

He further reiterated that his government would not condone such acts and prevailed upon the people of the region to give maximum support to the security agencies to end the smuggling activities.

He added, “If there are even members of the security agencies who are complicit in the matter, expose them and let us know who they are and they would be dealt with, I promise you that”.