Yes we owe you but we're holding an emergency board meeting on this - Buffer Stock company tells suppliers

The management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has acknowledged its indebtedness to food suppliers which has resulted in the picketing.

The company says an emergency meeting has been scheduled by the board on the matter.

“NAFCO acknowledges its indebtedness to its cherished suppliers.

The company sympathizes with them in this unfortunate situation they find themselves in which has compelled them to picket at our head office premises.

“The company is equally concerned about their plight and appreciates their patience.

“An emergency board meeting has been scheduled on the situation and the outcome including a possible roadmap for resolution will be shared thereafter,” a statement issued by the company on Thursday, July 6 said.

The picketing food suppliers said that they were owed two years’ arrears.

A spokesperson for the National Food Suppliers Association  Koku Amedume said that this situation is putting pressure on them because they took loans from banks to enable them to meet the supply needs of the Buffer Stock.

Speaking on the Ghana Tonight Show with Alfred Ocansey on TV3 Tuesday, July 4, Amedume indicated that the suppliers who spent the night at the premises of the NAFCO as part of the demonstration are more comfortable sleeping at the premises of NAFCO than sleeping in their homes because of the pressure on them.

He also said they are worried about the interest being accrued on the loans they took because of the nonpayment by NAFCO.

“The pressure on us at home is massive.

Most of these people go to contract loans from banks with huge interests with the sole aim of supporting their business and engaging in this supply business.

“Buffer stock had taken supplies from them for two years, for two years we have not been paid,” he said.