Media Liaison Officer for the Ministry of Agriculture, Samuel Huntor, has dismissed assertions of bad blood between the Minister for Agriculture and the Finance Minister, labeling such claims as entirely unfounded and without basis.
According to Huntor, the perceived friction between the two ministers stemmed merely from inaccuracies regarding the release of funds to the Agriculture Ministry. Appearing on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he explained that the Agriculture Minister was simply setting the records straight in response to comments previously made by the Finance Ministry.
To clarify the situation, Huntor said, “We were only setting the records straight. The whole of last year, the entire budget of the Ministry was GH₵1.19 billion, but from January to December, the amount we received was 60 percent of the total amount. So after the Minister disclosed we had received 85 percent, it was shocking, and so we proved it was untrue. The amount of money that we had received was GH₵244 million cedis, which is 12.6 percent of the total amount.”
He stressed that it was crucial for the Ministry to respond to prevent misconceptions among the public and contractors.
Addressing the widespread rumors that the dispute was fueled by an internal rivalry for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2028 presidential candidacy, Huntor refuted the claims entirely.
He assured the public that the NDC remains formidable and committed, and that the upcoming internal contest will not affect the party’s stability or unity.
Further dispelling the rumors of a personal feud, Huntor revealed that on the very day they addressed the budget discrepancies, both ministers were actually traveling together in Belarus on official state duties.
“While we were setting the records straight, some had their own interpretation and understanding. Some claimed some people wanted to succeed more than others, so they were sabotaging them. But the truth is that my boss, Eric Opoku, and Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson have no issues,” Huntor stated.
He concluded by urging the Ghanaian public to disregard the speculation, reiterating that both ministers maintain a healthy, productive working relationship.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana