Ghana’s vegetable exporters are facing mounting uncertainty over a possible eviction from their long-standing operational base at Cantonments, a move they fear could disrupt export flows, damage livelihoods and weaken access to key overseas markets.
The Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana (VEPEAG) says its members who ship highly perishable produce daily through Kotoka International Airport (KIA) risk severe logistical and financial setbacks if forced to relocate without a suitable alternative close to the airport.
Sector Backbone Under Strain
VEPEAG, established in 1997, represents more than 1,000 vegetable producers and exporters across seven regions, supplying international markets with okra, chili, shallots, sweet potatoes and other horticultural crops. The association operates from premises on 4th Giffard Road near Burma Camp, an area that has historically served as a designated Agric Mechanization enclave under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
However, the landscape around the facility has begun to shift. Agric Mechanization Services which shared a wall with VEPEAG has been relocated, and part of its former space has been taken over by private developers. New structures are already rising on the site, feeding industry fears that VEPEAG’s own premises may be next.
“We don’t know what is happening. What we see around us is inching closer by the hour,” said VePEAG President Dr. Felix Mawuli Kamassah.
Growing Anxiety Over Possible Relocation
Dr. Kamassah said exporters remain in limbo as they await official communication from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The association has written to the Lands Minister requesting a meeting after officials from the Lands Commission recently conducted a survey of the area.
“We are engaging the ministries to understand whether we are going or staying. We cannot fight the government, but our role in the economy is critical. Over 5,000 people depend on this work, and some export every day,” he said.
Exporters fear a repeat of a relocation attempt under a previous administration, which proposed moving operations to Dodowa. The association resisted, arguing that the distance and traffic delays sometimes up to three hours would cause exporters to miss flights and lose perishable cargo.
Perishables at Risk
VePEAG’s Cantonments location was initially chosen for its proximity to the airport, enabling rapid movement of fresh vegetables into cold storage and onto outbound aircraft. The association also operates a packhouse and cooling facilities on-site—equipment that is costly and complex to relocate.
“It is not easy to move a cooling room. If they want us to relocate, the new site must be close enough to the airport so that produce can be preserved and shipped on time,” Dr. Kamassah said.
He warned that any forced move without proper infrastructure risks repeating past trade disruptions, including previous bans on Ghanaian vegetables due to non-compliance with international phytosanitary standards.
Exporters Brace for Impact
The uncertainty is already affecting business plans. Some members are scouting alternative sites independently, fearing sudden eviction. “Some exporters are complaining bitterly. People are confused because the signal out there is that we will be moved,” he added.
Despite the concerns, the association acknowledges recent government engagement, noting that representatives from the presidency and relevant ministries have visited the site to assess the situation.
“We are hopeful that the ministries will work with us to find a solution that protects our markets and sustains our contribution to the economy,” Dr. Kamassah said.
