Top NDC men snatch 6bn cedis

Independent paper, The Chronicle says investigation at the Ministry of Finance has revealed that more than 6 billion cedis approved by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) for 52 nucleus farmers to enhance the production of food crops in the country has been diverted to leading members of the Progressive Alliance who know next to nothing about farming.

Some companies owned by leading members of the NDC were also mentioned as beneficiaries of the same facility.

Among the Alliance gurus whose names emerged are Mr Vincent Asisseh, press secretary of the NDC, Mr Dan Markin, national chairman of the Democratic People's Party (DPP) and General (rtd) Arnold Quainoo.

Enquiries at the Ministry of Agriculture to ascertain other beneficiaries of the Nucleus Farmers Scheme drew a blank response, as the ministry did not even know whom the farmers were.

In a telephone interview with the paper, the Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Mr Sakyi, said the ministry does not know the farmers who benefited from the facility, even though it acted as the facilitator.

When the PRO of ADB, Mr Coomson, was contacted he confirmed that Agricultural Development Bank had granted loans to farmers to support the Nucleus Farmers Scheme, but refused to give names of the beneficiaries, saying banking laws do not allow names of clients to be released to the public without the explicit approval of client.