The growing tension in neighbouring countries like Niger amidst the military takeover has left some traders, especially onion traders in the country, worried, as it has had a huge impact on imports.
Ghana, although it gained independence some 66 years ago, still depends on other countries for some foodstuffs despite being blessed with fertile lands for farming.
Such products are tomatoes, onions, pepper, cassava, poultry, maize etc.
According to the International Trade Administration, in 2021, Ghana imported about $1.9 billion in agricultural and related products.
This if not dealt with will go a long way to cripple the country’s economy.
In a recent interview, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, revealed that in the next five years, Ghana should be food secure with the various measures the ministry and government have in place to make the country agriculturally stable.
The minister mentioned that the launch of Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) 2.0 is expected to deal with the importation of mostly consumed products.
Dr. Acheampong noted that it’s time for the Ghanaian farmer to cultivate on a large scale adding that some individuals have already approached him for lands to farm on a large scale to feed the nation and export as well.
”We have about 3.5 million farmers in the country, but we cannot feed ourselves with tomatoes, onions, pepper, maize etc”, he stressed.
He added that under the PFJ 2.0, farmers and the general public need to come together and work to be food sufficient.
