In September 2023, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong was accused by some farmers in Obo-Kwahu of abusing his power by forcefully encroaching on their farm lands.
In a viral video shared on social media, the farmers numbering three called on the president and government to call the minister to order over his conduct which they stated is disgraceful to the government.
“This is the place that this old woman who is the mother of Obo Ankobiahene farms, an old woman who has toiled to plant cassava, pepper, garden eggs and other plants.
“The minister of agric appointed by the president who also doubles as the owner of Rock City is now causing destruction to people’s farms. Come and see, he has destroyed cassava, cocoa and palm trees on the farm,” the woman flanked by an old woman and old man lamented.
She further stated that the destruction caused by the minister who is taking over their farmlands is posing a direct threat to her livelihood as a widow with six children who depends on the farm to fend for her family.
“As I stand here, I am a widow with six children and without a husband, I feed from this farm. I harvest cassava from this farm for the children to sell before we are able to afford fish to cook fufu. He has ploughed over all the plants. I stand here on an empty stomach and very hungry…
“Mr President, he is disgracing you. He claims his government is in power and thus has no regard for any human being.
“Come and see what he is doing on the land belonging to Obo Ankobiahene. Nana Addo rise up, Bawumia rise up, members of the opposition and ministers should rise up against his actions,” she stated.
As seen in the video, which has resurfaced, an entire stretch of land was bulldozed.
In the same month, Bryan Acheampong denied allegations that he destroyed the farms of some poor farmers in Kwahu, in the Eastern Region.
In a press statement released on Saturday, September 23, 2023, Acheampong said the allegations were “malicious, wicked, and staged to tarnish my image.”
“My attention has been drawn to a video making the rounds on social media and on some news portals alleging that I have destroyed the farms of some poor farmers, ostensibly to appropriate their land.
“The said video is malicious, wicked, and staged to tarnish my image as a Member of Parliament, Minister of State, and well-known entrepreneur with an interest in the hospitality industry,” he said.
He explained that his office lobbied for the construction of two bypass roads in Nkwatia Kwahu, one to Asakraka (5 km) and another to Bepong (3.4 km). These roads are designed to alleviate traffic congestion and offer an alternative route for travellers.
However, the construction of these roads inevitably affected some farmers, Acheampong said. He assured that all affected farmers will be duly compensated, following established protocols for road projects of this nature.
Acheampong stated that the project cannot and should not be construed as a road project to benefit his personal or business interests, urging the public to disregard the allegations raised against him in the video.
He assured that the bypass road project when completed will benefit the entire community.
Presently, TIGPost can not confirm whether the victims have been compensated.
In recent times, the Minister has come under fire over the plan to sell a 60% stake in four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotel, a venture owned by Bryan Acheampong.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is spearheading the #Don’tselloffourhotels campaign to prevent Bryan Acheampong from getting hold on state assets.
Mr Ablakwa the sale reflects a conflict of interest as Mr Acheampong is a Cabinet Minister who sits with government in taking decisions on the running of the country and state assets.
Mr Acheampong has however denied all these and believes there is nothing shady in the sale of the SSNIT hotels to him.