The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, has urged the government to implement strategies for the sustainable production of local tomatoes, describing Burkina Faso’s recent export ban as a warning for Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the Ghana Export-Import Bank’s 10th anniversary international conference in Accra on Wednesday, March 25, Dr. Asiama emphasized that Ghana has the capacity to meet its own tomato demand and should act decisively.
“If Burkina Faso bans tomato exports, why should it cause a crisis here in Ghana? We have the resources and capacity locally,” he said, noting that the Ministry of Agriculture has already been engaged in discussions to address the situation.
Dr. Asiama pointed out that several regions in Ghana are suitable for cultivating similar tomato varieties. With over 500,000 young people seeking employment and the availability of adequate seeds and farming inputs, he stressed the urgency of acting promptly. He also noted that other crops, like onions, which mature in three to four months, offer immediate opportunities for local production.
Addressing the role of financing, Dr. Asiama said while commercial banks dominate the sector, the Ghana EXIM Bank needs a broader resource base to support local farmers effectively.
On the consumer side, he acknowledged that Burkina Faso tomatoes are often preferred in markets for their longer shelf life and lower water content, which is ideal for processing. However, he suggested that local tomatoes could also be processed and preserved with modern machinery, ensuring urban consumers have access to fresh domestic produce even when imports are limited.
“Such measures may not entirely solve the problem, but they can mitigate it,” he said. “By keeping local varieties fresh and expanding cultivation in suitable areas, we can gradually reduce reliance on imports and strengthen Ghana’s food security.”
