The Minority Spokesperson on Agriculture and MP for Asunafo South, Eric Opoku, has criticized the government’s recent decision to ban the export of grains, arguing that it will not achieve the intended positive outcomes.
The government announced the ban on Monday, August 26, as a measure to prevent a potential food shortage due to reduced rainfall in northern Ghana. However, Mr. Opoku contends that instead of imposing a ban, the government should focus on addressing the root causes that drive the exportation of grains.
He questioned the factors motivating farmers to export their grains, suggesting that higher prices in other markets might be a key incentive. “If farmers can sell their grains for a higher price elsewhere, they will be motivated to do so,” Opoku stated. He emphasized the importance of securing adequate food supplies during this critical time to avert a looming crisis.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has expressed confidence that the country will avoid famine despite the ongoing drought in Northern Ghana. The region is facing severe drought conditions, which have sparked concerns about food security and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
Northern Ghana has experienced over two months without rainfall, leading to stunted crop growth and diminishing hopes for a successful harvest. However, in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Face to Face on Channel One TV, Bryan Acheampong downplayed fears of a possible food shortage, assuring the public that such a crisis will not occur in the country.