The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has made an urgent appeal to agribusiness players and government stakeholders to collectively address rising food prices, which it says are threatening national food security, public health, and economic stability.
In a statement issued in Accra, the Chamber urged actors across the agricultural value chain including input suppliers, commodity traders, aggregators, transporters, processors, and retailers to take responsibility by reassessing their pricing structures and reducing margins where possible.
The call is rooted in growing concern that Ghana’s food system is under severe pressure due to soaring inflation, volatile input costs, and widespread inefficiencies.
“While we understand the challenges faced by businesses, we cannot continue passing unsustainable costs down to consumers and expect stability,” said Anthony Morrison, CEO of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana. “This is a defining moment for the entire sector. Collective responsibility and action are required.”
Rising Food Costs Undermining National Well-Being
According to the Chamber, high food prices have pushed nutritious diets out of reach for millions of Ghanaians, particularly low-income households. This trend is fueling malnutrition, increasing the risk of diet-related diseases, and weakening overall public health.
The Chamber warns that persistent price hikes are not only hurting consumers but also undermining the viability of local farming. Many farmers are reportedly planting less or using substandard inputs due to cost constraints, ultimately lowering yields and discouraging production.
Furthermore, food remains the largest component of Ghana’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), meaning that elevated food prices are also driving broader inflation and economic instability.
“Lower Food Prices Are a Tool for Recovery”
CAG argues that reducing food prices is not only a moral obligation but also an economic necessity. More affordable food will help revive consumer demand, stimulate non-food sectors, and reduce inflationary pressure. It also presents an opportunity for the sector to streamline operations, curb waste, and drive innovation.
“We are not simply asking for price cuts. We are asking for responsible leadership and shared sacrifice,” said Morrison. “This is about national survival.”
Government Must Act Decisively
In addition to urging action from private sector actors, the Chamber has outlined a detailed policy framework for government intervention, with key areas including:
- Input Subsidies & Local Production: Transparent, targeted subsidies and fast-tracked investment in local fertilizer blending and seed production to reduce import dependence.
- Post-Harvest Infrastructure: Massive investment in cold storage, silos, solar dryers, and other affordable technologies to cut post-harvest losses, which stand at an estimated 30–50%.
- Transport & Logistics Reform: Upgrading feeder roads, modernizing transport fleets, and enforcing axle load regulations to reduce transportation costs.
- Affordable Finance: Scaling up programmes like GIRSAL to improve credit access for SMEs across the value chain.
- Market Information Systems: Rolling out real-time, mobile-accessible platforms to improve price transparency and reduce waste.
A National Call to Action
The Chamber’s statement concludes with a firm call to both industry and government:
“We call on all agribusinesses to act now. Adjust your margins. Streamline operations. Make food more affordable. And to government, we say: show leadership. Create the enabling environment that supports lower food prices, not just talks about them.”
By aligning public and private efforts, the Chamber believes Ghana can begin to reverse the current crisis and lay the foundation for a truly food-secure and resilient economy.
