The Deputy National Communication Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale, has accused members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of being involved in the illegal smuggling of fertilizers from the Upper East Region to neighbouring countries, including Burkina Faso and Togo.
Malik Basintale claimed that this illicit activity has severely hindered local farmers’ efforts, contributing to agricultural underperformance in the region and worsening the economic challenges faced by farming communities.
Speaking at a rally in Binduri, Upper East Region, Basintale addressed what he called an organized network of NPP officials complicit in smuggling essential agricultural resources out of the country.
He specifically accused Abdulai Abanga, the Member of Parliament for Binduri and Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, of being a key figure in the alleged network.
Basintale vowed that, should the NDC win the upcoming December polls, those involved in the practice would face legal consequences, stating that all individuals complicit in the smuggling would be prosecuted and jailed.
“All the fertiliser that has been given to them, they have smuggled everything to Burkina Faso. Wallahi, when the NDC comes, they will go to jail. Wallahi, Wallahi, Wallahi, when the NDC comes, they will go to jail.
“If we don’t jail them, the people of Ghana will not be happy with us. If we don’t jail them, the people of Binduri will not be happy with us.”