29 fake seed maize distributors arrested

Kumasi, April 13, GNA - The police, in cooperation with Seed Growers Association executives and officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), on Thursday arrested 29 persons suspected to be dealing in uncertified seed maize in Kumasi.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Kwaku Duah, the Divisional Crime Officer at the Kumasi Central Police Station, told the Ghana News Agency that the suspects would be screened and those found to have indulged in the sale of the 85 bags of uncertified seed maize would be prosecuted.

Mr Ben Bekoe Yirenkyi, the National President of Seed Growers Association, described the activities of the suspects as uncalled for. He said people from the sub-region had been falling on seed growers in Ghana for their products because they have confidence in seed growers and researchers.

Therefore, any attempt to sell uncertified seeds on the market was causing an embarrassment to Ghanaians.

Mr Yirenkyi said the exercise was a national one and called on all and sundry to co-operate with the association to stamp out those miscreants in the distribution of seeds.