By Solomon Davids

Probes by The Daily Democrat into the New Crusading Guide publications on allegations leveled against the Executive Director of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB), Dr. Stephen Opuni, reveal a hidden agenda initiated by insiders in the Board to undermine his good works.

Sources close to the FDB indicate that one Mr. Alex Duodu, a former member of the Board may be behind the publication and the group calling itself the Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF), which is purportedly making the allegations.

The sources further disclosed that Mr. Alex Duodu has been interdicted and is currently under investigation for acts that were contrary to laid down regulations and procedures of the organization.

Mr. Duodu served under former head of the FDB, Mr. Agyarko, who once said he would resign immediately after the loss of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). However, he failed to live up to his word until he was sacked.

Mr. Duodu’s beef, the sources said, is that Dr. Opuni has instituted measures that are not serving his interest and that of other beneficiaries of his deals. He, together with other affected members of the Board, is therefore using the publications and other strategies to divert attention from their nefarious deeds It would be recalled that some unwholesome rice that was to have been imported into the country was stopped by Dr. Opuni and this did not go down with many insiders. It is alleged that the practice of bringing in unwholesome and expired drugs and food, has gone on for some time under the watchful eyes of some officials of the FDB under the Agyarko administration.

Meanwhile, Dr. Opuni’s tenure has seen a tremendous change in the fortune of the Board and internally generated fund has increased significantly. The staff of the organization are now receiving between 20% and 30% risk allowance, a practice that did not exist prior to his ascension to the throne. He is currently working hard to acquire government land to put up accommodation structures for FDB CEO’s and other staff to save the Board from paying huge sums of money to landlords.

The FDB is also assuring the public that it would continue to monitor all products coming into the country to ensure that they are wholesome and meet international standards.