The Volta Youth in Agriculture has called for the establishment of district vegetable farms across the country following the recent tomato export ban by neighbouring Burkina Faso, describing the situation as a major wake-up call for Ghana.
The organisation said the export ban had exposed the country’s heavy dependence on imported vegetables and warned that the situation threatened the future of many communities if urgent action was not taken.
The group said the development should be treated not only as a challenge but also as an opportunity to reshape the country’s agricultural sector through stronger local production.
Madam Joy Fiamawle, Public Relations Officer of the organisation, urged young people to take a leading role in promoting locally grown vegetables and advocating policies that genuinely support farmers.
“As Volta Youth in Agriculture, we have declared our readiness to engage stakeholders more deeply, and we must encourage the public, especially the youth, to play a central role in building a sustainable future for vegetable production in the country,” she said.
The group is calling for the immediate establishment of vegetable farms in every district to decentralise production and ensure that each area can meet its own demand for vegetables.
Madam Fiamawle said while the tomato export ban had dominated national discussions in recent weeks, it should also remind the public that tomatoes were not the only vegetables imported into the country, warning that similar shortages could occur in the future if proactive measures were not taken.
She explained that agriculture remained closely linked to broader socio-economic challenges such as poverty and food security, and stressed that these issues could only be addressed through deliberate efforts to increase local production.
The organisation noted that setting up district-level vegetable farms and deliberately employing young people to work on them would not only improve access to fresh food but also create employment opportunities and support economic growth in local communities.
The group urged the government to begin by engaging Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to support youth-led vegetable farming initiatives across the country.
It also called for the organisation of targeted training programmes and workshops for young farmers, as well as partnerships with local non-governmental organisations working in agricultural development.
The Volta Youth in Agriculture further encouraged young people across the country to take advantage of the current situation and support efforts aimed at building a stronger and more sustainable agricultural sector.
The group also called on the public to support government initiatives that would strengthen local food production, improve food security and promote long-term economic growth.
