Former Effia MP and ex-Economic Management Team (EMT) member, Joseph Cudjoe, has dismissed Bryan Acheampong’s claim of ownership over Ghana’s new cocoa financing model.
In a statement, Mr. Cudjoe urged Acheampong to retract his remarks, saying they misrepresent the history of the reform.
“We should resolve to be consistently truthful to reverse this negative image we keep creating for ourselves,” he stated.
According to Mr. Cudjoe, while serving as Minister of Agriculture, Acheampong did not support the new financing model and even frustrated its adoption.
“Before the presentation of the new model at EMT, I had received complaints from CEO Boahen Aidoo and his Deputy that their Minister wasn’t approving the new financing model,” he revealed.
He added that he personally encouraged the COCOBOD Chief Executive to push forward with the plan.
Mr. Cudjoe, who was a consultant, co-developer, and listed shareholder of the Commodities Clearing House during the development of the Ghana Commodities Exchange, emphasized that the financing reform was the product of long-term policy work.
“If Isaac Osei and Boahen Aidoo laid the foundation for this achievement, then Bryan should let it pass simply as an NPP Government achievement. He should be the last to attempt to take credit,” he said.
While acknowledging that Acheampong eventually presented the new model to Cabinet, Mr. Cudjoe insisted that this was against his original stance.
“If he found it tough in Cabinet, it was all because he didn’t believe in the new model,” he argued.
He concluded by stressing that integrity comes from consistency and that the achievement should remain credited to the NPP government under President Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Source: myjoyonline.com
