Tomato Traders Strike: Akufo Addo must apologize for misinforming them in last SONA

The opposition Member of Parliament for Builsa South Constituency in the Upper East Region, Dr. Clement Apaak has brought to the fore what he describes as pure lie in the last State of the Nation Address by the President Akufo-Addo.

President Akufo Addo, in his last SONA address on January 5, 2021 revealed that Ghana no more import basic foodstuffs such as plantains and tomatoes. He indicated that due to the effective implementation of the flagship Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program, Ghana now export basic foodstuffs of which tomatoes is inclusive.

However, days ago, the Tomatoes Traders Association of Ghana announced their intended strike action citing the increasing insecurity on the roads members use to transport tomatoes from neighboring Burkina Faso into the country.

For the NDC lawmaker, Dr. Clement Apaak, the industrial action of the tomato traders expose the lies by the government. He however urges the President to apologize for his claim that the country no more imports tomatoes.

"...doesn't this contradict what President Akufo-Addo told us; Ghana no longer imports tomatoes, or Burkina is now part of Ghana?

"An apology will do," he stated in his Facebook post.

Read below his full Facebook post;

Tomato Traders Strike!

SoNa 2021, January 5th, Ghana longer imports tomatoes, President Akufo-Addo.

“We have seen the dramatic turnaround of our agricultural fortunes, due to the progressive policies that have improved the living standards of farmers in the country. The excellently executed policy for Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) has laid the foundation for the agricultural transformation of our country. We are able to say that our country is now a net exporter of food, and we no longer have to import basic foods like plantain and tomatoes.” SoNa 2021.

Tomato traders are currently on strike due to robberies on Kumasi-Bolga-Burkina Faso road. IGP pledges to order police protection for them, if needed police-military. Even so, the traders are yet to accept the offer.

Doesn't this contradict what President Akufo-Addo told us; Ghana no longer imports tomatoes, or Burkina is now part of Ghana?

An apology will do.

I remain a citizen!

Dr. Clement Apaak

M.P, Builsa South

Source: // contributor on ModernGhana

Originating at ghanavanguard.com