Former Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo has hit out at former Minister of Agriculture and NPP Flagbearer aspirant, Bryan Acheampong, accusing him of "hypocritically" seeking to take credit for the abolition of syndicated loans by COCOBOD to purchase cocoa beans.

In a viral video, Bryan Acheampong, speaking to a section of New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates, took credit for the policy, adding that it is his vision, which has saved the country some money.

His office has since also issued a rejoinder stressing his role in the implementation of the self-financing model.

But in a strongly worded press statement, the former COCOBOD CEO, under whose management the policy was introduced, accused Bryan Acheampong of "blatant intellectual plagiarism and dishonesty."

The former COCOBOD CEO expressed extreme surprise that Bryan Acheampong could boldly claim credit for a policy he "vehemently opposed" as sector Minister.

"Bryan cannot and must not arrogate to himself glory for something he did not believe in, did actually oppose it, and frantically wished it dead right from its birth," the former COCOBOD CEO wrote.

"Just as he killed the noble idea of introducing private commercial cocoa plantations in Ghana after approval from the Board of Directors, so he wanted the new self-financing model of COCOBOD dead,” the former CEO added.

The former CEO added that the innovative idea was his and after Bryan Acheampong as Agric Minister opposed it, it took the intervention and support of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia to get it implemented, and thus cautioned Bryan Acheampong to stop taking credit for what he opposed at various levels.

"The decision to move COCOBOD away from Ghana's 32-year dependence on syndicated loans did not emanate from Bryan Acheampong. The ‘no more offshore borrowing or syndication of loans’ was my brainchild, absolutely championed and executed by myself, my able management team and the Board of Directors, and with tremendous confidence, incredible support and approval  from His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia."

"But for the bold intervention of President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House, this novelty legacy would not have seen the light of day. Yes, Bryan vehemently opposed it; Akufo-Addo and Bawumia supported it," he said.

Below is the full statement by the former COCOBOD CEO: