Minority Condemns Government’s Use of Military to Enforce Grain Export Ban
The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticized the decision by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration to deploy military forces to border towns across the country to enforce a recently announced ban on grain exports.
The government introduced the ban in response to drought-induced crop failures in northern Ghana, which have raised concerns about food security.
At a press conference held on Friday, August 30, 2024, James Agalga, the Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, questioned the rationale behind the military deployment.
He argued that neither the Minister for Food and Agriculture nor the Defence Minister provided sufficient evidence to justify the need for military involvement, particularly when the country’s immigration and customs services are statutorily responsible for border management and could enforce the ban.
Mr. Agalga expressed doubts about the necessity of the military’s role, suggesting that the government may have ulterior motives.
He pointed to the significant costs associated with military deployment and questioned whether these costs outweigh the value of the grain the government seeks to protect.
The Ranking Member who is MP for Builsa North also recalled the heavy military presence in the Volta and Oti regions ahead of the 2020 elections, which was later revealed to be based on exaggerated threats. The Minority fears a repeat of such tactics in the lead-up to the December 7, 2024, elections.
The Minority further criticized the involvement of Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong, who has made controversial statements regarding the upcoming elections.
They argue that his leadership in enforcing the grain export ban undermines the credibility of the government’s intentions and raises concerns about potential election-related manipulation.
The Minority called on the government to refrain from using the military for political purposes and to ensure that any measures taken to address the food crisis are transparent and accountable.
They also highlighted the lack of consultation with neighbouring countries before implementing the ban, which could have unintended consequences on food prices in Ghana.
In view of that, the Minority urged the government to engage with stakeholders and avoid using the military as a tool for political gain.
They emphasized the need for a credible task force composed of experts to oversee the response to the food crisis, ensuring that the government’s actions prioritize the welfare of Ghanaians over political interests.
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Source: Felix Nyaaba // ExpressNewsGhana.com
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