Contrary to perceptions that he is an “arrogant” person, the former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Afriyie Akoto, has indicated that he is a very affable person.

Speaking at his campaign launch on Monday, March 13, 2023, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) auditorium, he noted that he is a very confident person who has strong views on various subjects and is often perceived as being arrogant due to these qualities.

“I’m known to be ‘confident, very passionate and to have strong views on many subjects.’ Frequently I’ve often been perceived as too serious and arrogant but that is far from the reality. In fact, I'm a very friendly person, very open-hearted and an affable person,” he said.

The former Minister has on various occasions been described as arrogant. Former chairman of the Ghana National Poultry Farmers Association, Kwadwo Asante, earlier this month, labelled the Minister as arrogant and disrespectful.

During an interaction with Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM, Mr Asante recounted how the Agriculture Minister allegedly disrespected them when they met him and President, Akufo-Addo at a meeting.

He said the poultry farmers met President Akufo-Addo in Jubilee House years ago and told him there was a shortage of maize. But instead of the Minister admitting the claim and working to address the issue, he retorted with a claim that “there is an abundance of maize.”

That aside, Mr Asante indicated that he later approached him (Akoto) and his special aide and told them how foreigners (Nigerians) were exporting the maize produced by Planting for Food and Jobs. But the Minister could only respond with “so what?”

Also, some Ghanaians described him as arrogant following his posture and approach to some of the questions thrown at him by Members of Parliament’s Vetting Committee, among other instances.

Despite these instances the Minister insists he is only confident but not arrogant. He further pledged his commitment to earnestly serve the country.

“My father instilled in him the passion for service and to serve my motherland Ghana with all that is within me even if it costs me an arm and a leg for those who know me well,” he added.