Former Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, has strongly criticised former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, over claims that he introduced the policy abolishing syndicated loans for cocoa purchases.
In an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Aidoo accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful of intellectual thievery.
In a viral video, the Abetifi Member of Parliament told NPP delegates that the self-financing model was his vision, one that has saved the country millions. However, Mr. Aidoo has vehemently rejected the claims.
According to him, Dr. Acheampong, during his tenure as Agric Minister, “vehemently opposed” the initiative and had wished it dead from its inception.
“Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have spoken about this matter, but this was my own initiative. I realised it would help Ghana and benefit COCOBOD, and that was why I brought it forward.
“So if someone comes out to say he is the originator and doesn’t give any credit to me, academically, it is not right, and it amounts to thievery. I am also an intellectual; I teach at the university, and taking something that belongs to someone without credit amounts to intellectual thievery,” he stated.
He further emphasized that the shift from Ghana’s 32-year dependence on syndicated offshore loans was his “brainchild,” developed with his management team and endorsed by the COCOBOD Board of Directors.
Mr. Aidoo has therefore urged Dr. Acheampong to refrain from taking credit for a policy he claims to have opposed at every stage.
Source: Gertrude Otchere
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