¢20bn Government support to cotton farmers under scanner

25 Aug '06

2 min read

Minister of Food and Agriculture, Ernest Akobuor Debrah's claim of providing ¢20 billion as Government support to cotton farmers in the three Northern regions has been strongly rebuffed by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG).

PFAG after its investigation came out with a different version contradicting the minister's claim. It protested the press conference held in Tamale obliging Debrah to air his own version.

Debrah stood by his claim of providing ¢20 billion support to the farmers providing fodder for public debates and speculations.

However, an investigation by the local newspaper in five districts of Northern regions have revealed some poor reactions both from the farmers and the organizations named by the Minister.

Some of the farmers interviewed denied having received any money or any kind of support from any organization. Debrah had said that his ministry had given ¢4.6 billion to Ghana Cotton Company Ltd (GCCL) to plough 10,000 hectares of land and to supply cotton seeds and fertilizers.

However, the GCCL Northern Regional office said that they had not been assigned to undertake such operations. Further investigation reveals that this year's cotton season is already over so any support provided to the farmers is of no meaning.

PFAG President Mohammed Adam Nasiru told that his association will continue to raise its voice until the ¢20 billion reached the farmers. Meanwhile, attempts to get the views of Minister of Food and Agriculture proved in vain.

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