Government has allocated GH¢100million this year to strengthen the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) and safeguard the country’s food reserves against potential emergencies.
The allocation, contained in the Food and Agriculture Ministry Medium-Term Expenditure Framework 2025-2028, indicates the amount will be used to strengthen the country’s food buffers to improve food security.
More importantly, the document explained that this allocation is intended to enable NAFCO purchase and store food – ensuring availability of essential commodities during emergencies and market disruptions.
The allocation underscores government’s commitment to food security and its recognition of NAFCO’s pivotal role in stabilizing prices and preventing shortages.
The agriculture ministry said it forms part of wider measures to modernize agriculture, promote agribusiness, curb food inflation and strengthen national food security.
Last year, NAFCO faced a major test of its capacity to maintain strategic food reserves, mitigate the impact of disasters and emergencies and address potential shortages, as the country had to rely on external aid from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to secure grains for domestic consumption.
In September, Ghana received 500 metric tonnes of cereals from the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve. The donation formed part of ECOWAS’s efforts to assist countries grappling with food insecurity arising from drought and other challenges.
The consignment included maize, rice, millet and sorghum, distributed as food grants to eight regions affected by prolonged dry spells.
Credit: thebftonline