The government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, is moving to address disruptions following Burkina Faso’s recent ban on fresh tomato exports.
In an official statement issued by the ministry, the government stated that it will engage with the Burkina Faso authorities to discuss the implications of the export ban and work towards a “mutually beneficial way forward” for both countries.
The planned engagement will provide Ghana with an opportunity to raise concerns about the trade disruption and seek clarity on how to safeguard the interests of Ghanaian traders, many of whom rely on fresh tomato supplies for onward distribution in domestic markets.
The ban has prompted market anxiety, with some price spikes expected in major urban centres and concerns over supply stability.
The statement reiterated the importance of strengthening domestic production under existing flagship initiatives such as the “Feed Ghana” and “Feed the Industry” programmes, which aim to boost local output and lessen reliance on imported fresh produce. Although no explicit timelines were addressed in the government’s communication.
While engagement efforts are ongoing, the government has appealed to tomato traders to remain calm as authorities pursue an amicable resolution. It also stressed that the dialogue with Ouagadougou will be conducted within the framework of maintaining strong bilateral relations and supporting regional trade cooperation.
