Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon Eric Opoku, has announced measures to address high food prices in Ghana. The government is establishing “farmers markets” to connect farmers directly with consumers, eliminating middlemen who drive up costs.
An allocation has been made for the construction of 1,000 kilometers of agricultural roads to improve transportation and make food more accessible.
According to Minister Opoku, the move aims to stabilize food prices and support local farmers.
He emphasized that shopping preferences also play a role in sustaining the price gap, with some urban dwellers opting for imported food items in malls rather than cheaper local produce. ¹
The government is also addressing an oversupply of staple foods like maize, rice, and beans, with plans to procure excess produce to store for emergencies. An additional GH¢100 million has been approved to support this initiative.
Hon Eric Opoku, has revealed that the government is procuring excess maize, rice, and beans from farmers to store against emergencies. The move aims to address the current oversupply of staple foods in the country.
According to Minister Opoku, resources have been allocated to the National Food Buffer Stock to buy up the excess produce, a first in Ghana’s history. This initiative is expected to support farmers struggling to sell their produce, including Hon Rashid Pepo, who has approximately 1,000 bags of maize ready for market with no buyers.
