Former Effia MP and ex-EMT member Joseph Cudjoe has dismissed Bryan Acheampong’s claim of ownership of the new model for financing cocoa purchases in Ghana.

In a statement, he urged Acheampong to retract his remarks, arguing that they misrepresent the history of the reform.

“We should resolve to be consistently truthful to reverse this negative image we keep creating for ourselves,” Mr Cudjoe stated.

According to him, while serving as Minister of Agriculture, Acheampong did not support the new financing model and even frustrated its adoption.

“Before presentation of the new model at EMT, I had received complaints of frustrations from the CEO, Boahen Aidoo and his Deputy that their Minister isn’t approving the new financing model,” he revealed.

He added that he had to personally encourage the Chief Executive of COCOBOD to push forward with the plan.

Mr Cudjoe, who was a consultant, co-developer, and listed shareholder of Commodities Clearing House during the development of the Ghana Commodities Exchange, stressed that the financing reform was the product of long-term policy work.

“If Isaac Osei and Boahen Aidoo laid the foundation for this achievement, then Bryan should let it pass simply as an NPP Government achievement. He should be the last to attempt to take credit,” he said.

While acknowledging that Acheampong was eventually compelled to present the new model to Cabinet, Mr Cudjoe insisted that this was against his original stance. “If he found it tough in Cabinet, it was all because he didn’t believe in the new model,” he argued.

He concluded by stressing that integrity comes from consistency, and the achievement should remain credited to the NPP Government under President Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.