Agric Minister Slams ‘Mpraeso’ Farmers Over Destruction Claims

…Says ‘am not responsible for their loses’

Under fire Minister for Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong, has asked some

peasant farmers around communities in the Mpraeso constituency, whose

farmlands were destroyed as a result of a road construction, not to blame him for

their woes but take their concerns elsewhere.

The Minister who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for a neighbouring constituency Abetifi, stated categorically that he has nothing to offer the farmers in a form of compensation because he is not responsible for the road construction.

Despite farmers and local chiefs naming him directly as the cause of the destruction, Minister Acheampong has shifted the responsibility for compensation elsewhere.

In response to a chat with the WhatsUp News, Minister Acheampong acknowledged awareness of the farmers’ issues recorded in videos from last year.

The farmers, whose farmlands near Mpraeso were affected by the Kwahu-Nkwatia-Bepong road construction, expressed frustration over their situation, with some claiming that the destruction was to facilitate smoother traffic flow during the Kwahu Easter festivities.

The Ankobeahene of Kwahu Obo, Nana Boamah Twerefuor II, disputed the notion that the destruction was solely for road construction purposes, hinting at undisclosed details surrounding the issue.

Despite Minister Acheampong dismissing the claims as a smear campaign against him, Nana Twerefuor maintained that the Minister had admitted his involvement when confronted. Farmers, expecting compensation or alternative livelihood support, have voiced their distress over the lack of government aid.

One farmer, captured in a video, strongly criticized Minister Acheampong for the devastation of their lands, calling on various government officials and stakeholders to intervene on their behalf.

The package agreed upon as compensation has yet to materialize, adding to the farmers’ hardships. In his recent Whatsapp exchange with an unidentified individual, Minister Acheampong distanced himself from the compensation issue, stating that it falls under government project jurisdiction and contractor responsibility.

Despite calls for compensation prior to construction to safeguard the government’s reputation and assist farmers, Minister Acheampong maintained that he is not accountable for compensation or the construction process.

The situation continues to escalate as farmers seek redress and support amid allegations of land destruction and lack of compensation, further entangling Minister Acheampong in the controversy.