Ghana is not yet in a position to ban rice imports, as local production continues to fall well short of national demand, Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku has cautioned.
At the end of 2024, Ghana’s rice demand was estimated at 1.5 million tonnes, while local production hovered around 650,000 tonnes, according to the Minister. Based on these figures, the gap between local supply and demand is approximately 850,000 tonnes.
“At the end of 2024, Ghana’s rice demand was estimated at 1.5 million tonnes, while local production hovered around 650,000 tonnes. If we impose a ban now without being able to meet demand, we’ll create another crisis,” Mr. Opoku said.
He explained that the government’s Feed Ghana Programme aims to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2028, and that imposing a ban before then could create problems. He noted that a gap still exists between supply and demand, and that consumer habits favor imported rice, stressing the need for caution.
“Where we are now, we still have a gap. Ghanaians have developed a taste for imported rice, and we all have a responsibility to shift our preference. Placing a ban now would be disastrous,” he added.
READ ALSO
To help absorb the current surplus from the ongoing harvest, President John Dramani Mahama has directed key ministries to prioritize locally produced food in public institutions.
Schools and prisons have been instructed to source all food locally, and excess eggs and grains are being channeled into the School Feeding Programme to help farmers recover their investments.
“The Ministry of Education has been directed to ensure that all food served to students and prison inmates is sourced locally. The President has also asked that excess eggs and grains be bought to support the School Feeding Programme, so farmers can recover their investments,” Mr. Opoku said.
The Minister assured the public that more detailed measures will be announced soon to manage the surplus and protect farmers’ interests.
