Onion farmers in the Asante Akyem North District are calling on government to regulate onion imports from Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Niger, arguing that foreign produce is undermining local sales.
According to the farmers, this year’s bumper harvest is sufficient to meet national demand, yet cheaper imported onions continue to dominate the market, discouraging traders and consumers from purchasing locally produced ones.
They warn that without intervention, the livelihoods of Ghanaian farmers will remain at risk.
Moro Adamu, Chairman of the Asante Akyem North Onion Farmers Association, appealed for restrictions, especially during the local harvest season. He explained that effective policies would protect local farmers, ensure fair market access, and reduce post-harvest losses.
Mr. Adamu further noted that securing the onion market could create incentives for young people to take up farming, helping to address unemployment and reduce reliance on illegal mining (galamsey) as a source of income.
Onion cultivation is widespread in Ghana, particularly in areas such as Ashaiman, Keta, Navrongo, and Asante Akyem, which are among the country’s key production hubs.
However, Ghana still relies heavily on imports, with studies estimating that more than 60% of onions consumed are brought in from neighbouring countries. Farmers say this dependency undermines local production and discourages investment in the sector.
Furthermore, farmers believe that a fairer market environment would not only strengthen the onion value chain but also contribute significantly to food security and rural development in Ghana.
