The Minority in Parliament has called for the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, to be summoned before the House to brief Members on the government’s plans to address the growing food glut across the country.
The call comes amid mounting concerns from the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana that the grain sector is nearing collapse, with over 100,000 metric tonnes of maize and rice from the 2024 harvest still unsold. Farmers in several regions have also expressed frustration over the lack of access to reliable markets for their produce.
Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament on Friday, October 24, the Member of Parliament for Nalerigu-Gambaga, Nurudeen Muhammed Mumuni, urged the government to take immediate action to prevent further losses in the agricultural sector.
In response, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, disclosed that the Cabinet has approved the release of funds to the National Food Buffer Stock Company to purchase the excess produce and stabilise the market.
“You have admitted that the agricultural sector is doing very well and that it is going to positively impact food inflation in the coming months. What is of concern now is how we can get the produce from the farmers. I can assure you that I was in Cabinet when the President directed the Minister of Finance to make money available to Buffer Stock so that they can buy the produce from the farmers,” Ayariga said.
He added that some of the warehouses constructed during the Akufo-Addo administration would be instrumental in storing the current bumper harvest. However, he noted with concern that “unfortunately, none of the factories is functioning,” stressing the need for operational facilities to complement the storage infrastructure.
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