News Guide Africa

Tag: Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG)

  • Gov’t given 30-Day ultimatum to activate ‘Tomato Emergency Strategy’ amid a 12-month roadmap

    Gov’t given 30-Day ultimatum to activate ‘Tomato Emergency Strategy’ amid a 12-month roadmap

    Gov’t given 30-Day ultimatum to activate ‘Tomato Emergency Strategy’ amid a 12-month roadmap

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has called on the government to immediately activate a National Tomato Emergency Strategy, warning that failure to do so within the next 30 days could lead to a total collapse of the local industry and worsening food insecurity.

    The demand comes as the Chamber unveils a comprehensive 12-month roadmap designed to end Ghana’s chronic dependence on tomato imports from neighboring countries like Burkina Faso.

    In a statement addressed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Chamber expressed deep concern over the current state of the tomato value chain. Despite Ghana’s favorable climate and soil, the country remains a net importer of tomatoes, spending hundreds of millions of dollars annually to bridge the supply gap.

    “We cannot continue to rely on imports for a staple that we have every capacity to produce locally,” said Farmer Anthony Morrison, CEO of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana. “We are giving the government 30 days to activate an emergency strategy that addresses systemic bottlenecks, or we risk losing more farmers to debt and despair.”

    The Chamber emphasized that the “emergency” status is necessary due to the rising costs of inputs, lack of irrigation infrastructure, and the influx of cheaper, often subsidized imports that undercut Ghanaian farmers.

    The 12-month roadmap

    To move beyond rhetoric, the CAG has proposed a structured 12-month plan aimed at achieving self-sufficiency. Key pillars of the plan include:

    1. Seed and Input Security: Providing farmers with high-yield, processor-friendly seeds that can compete with international varieties.

    2. Irrigation Expansion: Fast-tracking small-scale irrigation projects to move away from rain-fed agriculture, ensuring year-round production.

    3. Off-taker Agreements: Securing guaranteed markets for farmers to prevent post-harvest losses, which currently claim nearly 40% of local yields.

    4. Technical Support: Deploying extension officers to train farmers on modern agronomic practices and pest management.

    Economic implications

    Ghana currently imports over $100 million worth of tomatoes annually. The Chamber argues that redirecting this capital into the local economy would not only stabilize the Cedi but also create thousands of jobs for the youth in rural areas.

    “The 12-month plan is not just about growing food; it’s about economic sovereignty,” Morrison added. “If we fix the tomato sector, we provide a blueprint for fixing our entire agricultural system.”

    Industry reaction

    Local farmers have welcomed the Chamber’s bold stance. Many have complained of being abandoned by the state, citing the high cost of fertilizers and the lack of cold-storage facilities as their biggest hurdles.

    As the 30-day clock begins to tick, all eyes are now on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. While the government has previously touted its “Planting for Food and Jobs” initiative, the Chamber insists that a specific, laser-focused strategy for tomatoes is the only way to stop the “Burkina Faso convoys” and revitalize Ghanaian farms.

    The Chamber has indicated it will seek further engagement with stakeholders and the media should the 30-day window expire without significant policy movement.

     

     

     

  • Burkina tomatoes: industry leaders rally for national self-sufficiency

    Burkina tomatoes: industry leaders rally for national self-sufficiency

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    Ghana’s multi-million dollar tomato import bill is under fire as a coalition of agribusiness leaders, farmers, and high-profile advocates demand a radical decoupling from neighboring supply chains.

    Following Burkina Faso’s recent export ban, the push to transform Ghana into a “Tomato Powerhouse” has shifted from a policy conversation to a national emergency.

    The CAG 30-day ultimatum and 12-month emergency roadmap

    The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has officially turned up the heat on the government, demanding the activation of a Tomato Emergency Strategy within 30 days. The Chamber argues that the current volatility in the market is a direct result of decades of “lethargic” investment in local value chains.

    To bridge the immediate gap, the CAG has unveiled a 12-month roadmap focused on three pillars:

    The first pillar is input subsidies to provide Immediate relief for seeds and fertilizers specifically for tomato clusters.

    The second pillar is irrigation mobilization, repurposing existing water infrastructure to support off-season farming.

    The third pillar is off-take guarantees to ensure farmers have a locked-in market to prevent the post-harvest losses that have historically haunted the sector.

     “Self-sufficiency is possible in 4 years”

    Adding a practical voice to the movement, Ghana’s Deputy Food and Agriculture Minister, the celebrated actor and renowned farmer, John Dumelo, has asserted that Ghana can completely end its dependence on imports within just four years.

    “We have the land and the climate. What we lack is the consistent technical support and the political will to protect the local farmer,” Dumelo stated. He emphasized that with structured investment in greenhouse technology and improved seed varieties, Ghana would not only feed itself but could become a net exporter to the very countries it currently relies on.

    Importers join the call for local growth

    In a surprising twist, even the Tomato Importers Association the group traditionally reliant on Burkinabe supply is urging the government to prioritize local production. Faced with rising costs and the unpredictability of cross-border trade, importers are ready to pivot.

    “We would rather buy from the Upper East or Ashanti regions than navigate the risks of the border,” a spokesperson for the association noted. “If the quality and quantity are there, we are ready to put our money back into the Ghanaian economy.”

    Blessing in disguise 

    Dr. Charles Nyaaba, a leading voice in the agricultural space, has gone as far as to say Ghana should “celebrate” the ban from Burkina Faso. He argues that as long as the “easy option” of importing existed, the nation would never take the hard steps required for industrialization.

    “This ban is the best thing to happen to Ghanaian agriculture in a decade,” Dr. Nyaaba remarked. “It forces us to look inward. It is time to stop complaining about the border and start clearing the fields. It’s time to grow our own.”

    The road ahead

    The stakes could not be higher. As market prices for the essential fruit fluctuate, the government’s response over the next 30 days will determine if this crisis leads to a permanent agricultural revolution or another cycle of scarcity.

    With industry experts, celebrities, and even importers aligned, the message to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is unified: The era of the “Burkinabe Tomato” must end, and the era of the “Ghanaian Harvest” must begin.

     

     

     

     

  • Ghanaian exporters eye new AGOA opportunities …as programme extension ends trade uncertainty

    Ghanaian exporters eye new AGOA opportunities …as programme extension ends trade uncertainty

    By Toma Imirhe

    Ghana’s non-traditional exporters have welcomed the U.S. Congress’s decision to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for an additional three years, calling the move a timely reprieve after months of tariff uncertainty that had disrupted access to American markets.

    The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the extension by 340 votes to 54 last week, sending the bill to the Senate and, ultimately, to the U.S. President for signature.

    The three-year extension will maintain duty-free access to U.S. markets for eligible Ghanaian products through 2029, offering exporters critical predictability after AGOA’s lapse on September 30, 2025 had left businesses scrambling under Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs of around 15%.

    “This is great news,” said Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, adding that the extension would support local garment manufacturing and job creation. “AGOA provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for eligible products. This positive development will boost local garment production and create more jobs,” he enthused upon receiving news of the extension.

    Despite the positive outcome, many Ghanaian exporters said the extension was not fully expected, particularly given the stalemate over US President Donald Trump’s hardline stance on tariffs and political volatility around AGOA’s renewal in Washington. In 2025, U.S. tariff measures had undercut the duty-free margins long enjoyed under the programme, forcing exporters of textiles, agro-processors, and other non-traditional products to absorb higher costs while awaiting congressional action.

    Samson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, had earlier warned that tariff uncertainty was undermining competitiveness. “Every month that passes without AGOA renewal means lost business opportunities, lost jobs and lost foreign exchange,” he had lamented to the local media.

    With the extension now secured, exporters are pivoting to strategic repositioning. The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana has urged firms to enhance compliance standards and invest in value addition, particularly in horticulture and shea butter, to maximise the renewed preferences.

    Under AGOA, Ghana’s exports to the United States have been significant but volatile. According to the U.S. Trade Representative’s 2024 report, Ghana’s AGOA-eligible exports were approximately US $340 million, including cocoa derivatives, textiles, and processed goods. Early 2025 figures signalled a 45% year-to-date decline compared to 2024.

    Non-traditional exports broadly remain a cornerstone of Ghana’s trade diversification strategy, generally ranging between US $3.5 billion, and US$4.5 billion annually led by iron and steel products, cocoa paste, cashew nuts, and shea oil.

    With AGOA’s restored duty-free access, garments, processed foods, and cocoa derivatives stand to benefit most in absolute value. Analysts project that reinvigorated American demand, combined with increased compliance and quality enhancement, could boost these sectors’ contribution to U.S. exports by 10–20% annually through 2029, assuming global demand stabilises and supply chain constraints ease although comprehensive industry forecasts are still pending.. The garment and textiles sector in particular could regain competitiveness against East Asian suppliers if paired with enhanced export finSance and certification support.

    The extension reflects a broader U.S. policy rationale to strengthen trade ties with sub-Saharan Africa, promote economic growth through market access, and counter strategic competition from other global powers particularly China – by maintaining preferential access for African manufacturers. AGOA was originally enacted in 2000 to reduce poverty through export-led growth and deepen U.S. Africa economic relations.

    U.S. lawmakers have emphasised that continued access for African exporters benefits both sides supporting job creation and diversifying supply chains while helping American businesses source competitive inputs.

    For Ghanaian exporters battered by tariff uncertainty, the extension not only restores market predictability but also rekindles hopes of reclaiming lost market share provided local firms can capitalise on the window ahead.

     

  • CAG declares national agricultural emergency …as farmers struggle to sell harvest amid Feed Ghana Coordinator’s assurance

    CAG declares national agricultural emergency …as farmers struggle to sell harvest amid Feed Ghana Coordinator’s assurance

    The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has declared a national agricultural emergency, warning of an imminent collapse of Ghana’s grain sector as more than 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice, maize, and soya beans remain unsold across the country.

    According to the Chamber, this situation represents a “paradoxical crisis of surplus amidst production deficits”, requiring urgent government intervention to stabilise the domestic grain market, protect farmers’ livelihoods, and safeguard national food security.

    This is contained in a press release signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG), Anthony Kofituo Morrison.

    Unsold Stocks Amid Policy Gaps

    Field data from CAG reveals that while Ghana continues to face production shortfalls in key commodities, large quantities of harvested grains are stranded in warehouses and factories due to market distortions, import pressures, and policy inconsistencies.

    The Chamber said Ghana’s annual rice consumption stands at 1.9 million metric tonnes, with local production averaging 900,000 metric tonnes.

    Despite the shortfall, nearly two years’ worth of both milled and paddy rice remain unsold, a situation worsened by smuggling and the inflow of expired rice through unapproved routes, leading to tax losses and further market disruptions.

    Similarly, Ghana consumes about 3.3 million metric tonnes of maize annually against a production capacity of 2.5 million metric tonnes, while soya bean production of 225,000 to 250,000 metric tonnes represents only about a third of the country’s potential.

    Export Restrictions Deepening Market Distortion

    The Chamber blamed the Export and Import (Restriction on Exportation of Soya Beans) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2432), for aggravating the market imbalance. The regulation, introduced to secure local supply for poultry and aquaculture industries, has instead triggered a price collapse, with farm gate prices dropping from GH¢650 to GH¢400 per bag.

    CAG stated that thousands of bags of soya beans remain locked up in warehouses across the Northern and Southern regions, discouraging farmers from further cultivation.

    “The policy has had unintended consequences farmers are shifting to other crops due to restricted markets and poor prices,” the Chamber said.

    Immediate Measures Proposed

    To address the growing crisis, CAG is calling on the government to implement a three-month moratorium on rice imports to allow local stockpiles to be cleared and create market stability for farmers and millers.

    The Chamber is also demanding the immediate repeal of L.I. 2432 to restore competitive pricing, eliminate warehouse congestion, and encourage expanded soya bean cultivation.

    In addition, CAG wants “the Ministry of Trade and Industry, National Security, Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, and Food and Drugs Authority to jointly conduct a comprehensive audit of rice on the market to verify tax compliance, enforce quality standards, and eliminate smuggled or expired products.”

    Strategic State Intervention and Long-Term Framework

    Beyond emergency measures, CAG has proposed that the government establish a Strategic Grain Reserve Procurement Programme through the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to purchase surplus grains at fair and sustainable prices.

    The programme, the Chamber said, should serve as a price stabilisation mechanism, ensuring predictable prices for both farmers and grain-based industries. It would also enable Ghana to meet its obligations under the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Storage Strategy.

    The Chamber further recommended a five-year Ghana Rice Production Strategy, led by the Ministries of Food and Agriculture and Trade and Industry, to align import quotas with rising local production capacity.

    It also urged investment in research, irrigation, mechanisation, and agro-processing to enhance productivity and competitiveness.

    Additionally, CAG is advocating for a comprehensive Agriculture for Economic Transformation Policy to harmonise agricultural support initiatives and drive private sector investment in value addition.

    Safeguarding Farmers’ Investments

    CAG emphasised that protecting local farmers and agribusinesses is essential to achieving food security and economic resilience.

    “We must safeguard the investments of our local farmers and agribusinesses to build a food-secure and economically resilient Ghana.

    “Decisive action on these recommendations will not only resolve the current grain glut but reposition Ghana’s grains sector as a driver of sustainable growth and national resilience.”

    Feed Ghana Coordinator’s assurance of ease within weeks

    However, the National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Programme, Bright Demordzi, has assured rice farmers facing market challenges that the government is taking steps to address the current glut in locally produced rice.

    Mr. Demordzi, reacting to the current situation, acknowledged that rice farmers across parts of the country are struggling to find buyers for their produce.

    He explained that the situation arose because production had outpaced market demand, and planning had not fully accounted for the scale of the recent harvest.

    “If there’s a production issue, there will be difficulties. If there is a harvesting issue, there will be some difficulty. If there is a transportation issue, there will be some difficulty. If there is even a market for the produce itself, there will be some difficulties. So, all along the line, you must have a plan for it,” he said.

    Mr. Demordzi admitted that the current challenge was due to the unexpected bumper harvest following small-scale interventions.

    “We were not expecting that huge production. We did small interventions because we’ve not fully rolled out all our plans. And quickly, we have a huge production,” he noted.

    He said efforts were already underway to purchase the excess rice from the system to stabilise the market.

    “We are now struggling to ensure that we buy the excess from the system. And we are on course. We are buying. And I think that in the next two to three weeks, this issue of the glut of the rice paddy will come down,” Mr. Demordzi assured.

    The Feed Ghana Coordinator reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening market linkages and improving planning along the agricultural value chain to prevent similar challenges in the future.

     

  • Agric Minister Should Not Downplay the Living Experiences of Farmers and Ghanaians – Associations

    Agric Minister Should Not Downplay the Living Experiences of Farmers and Ghanaians – Associations

    The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG), the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), the Rice Millers Association of Ghana (RMAG), and Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG) are appalled and disappointed by comments and responses by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, during an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday 16th March 2022.

    In the said interview, the Minister responded to questions relating to his performance as the sector Minister over the past five years. Needless to say that, despite broad efforts by the government to address constraints in the sector through consistent engagement of sector actors, the responses of the Minister for the most part were not only evasive and unaccountable, but clearly demonstrated high levels of intolerance, and an outright disrespect to the living experiences of farmers and other actors in the sector.

    It is this approach to policy making in the sector which has largely negated any serious results (if possible) from major interventions in the sector over the past five years and frankly not necessary in a sector as critical as agriculture with several stakeholders.

    Firstly, the Minister, in his response to the current food security situation manifested by constant spikes in food prices and absence of relevant supplies, chided persons, institutions and data that pointed to this reality.

    In fact, in responding to a question on the state of food security captured in the 2021 Global Food Index where Ghana was ranked 82nd dropping from 76th in 2016, the Minister downplayed the content and significance of the report, disagreed and ‘poohpoohed’ the findings even though he could not provide any alternative report.

    The Minister continues to live in the thinking that all things are rosy in the sector when the reality is that we are saddled with unavailability of food coupled with high food prices. Don’t take our words for it! The government’s statistician, the Ghana Statistical Services (GSS) indicates that food inflation in Ghana has reached an all-time high of 17.40 percent as at February 2022.

    If this is not a reflection of the double whammy of escalating prices and weak food supplies which

    undermine food security, then we are not sure what is. Prior to the consistent reports from the GSS,

    several organisations monitoring food supplies across various markets had confirmed these risks, only

    for the sector Minister to refer to his domestic experience in an interview – ‘my wife has not indicated to me food prices have increased’. How inconsiderate and disrespectful to Ghanaians?

    We hope his responses this morning, and in previous comments such as the reference to his domestic experience are not a reflection of official government position on the developments in the sector. That will be an unfortunate situation! In fact, forecast by analysts and economists suggest that the situation will get worse in the coming months due to existing weaknesses in our systems as well as global pressures.

    Policy makers at the highest level such as the sector Minister cannot be dismissive of these risks and

    reports. At the minimum, such reports should be seen as feedback to enable government and the

    Ministry of Food and Agriculture to examine their policy toolkits to addressing the underlying risks in

    a collaborative manner.

    Secondly, the sector Minister appears not to comprehend issues of fidelity in policy implementation at

    scale, and the cardinal need for generating evidence to improve policy design. The flagship Planting for

    Food and Jobs programme of government has indeed touched on several issues in the agricultural sector,

    which has contributed to the improved performance of the country in recent assessments on progress

    towards the Malabo Declaration.

    However, feedback from farmer associations and other actors in the sector, for the simple reason that the ministry does not have resources to engage all 11.3 million farmers across the country, should be considered seriously and not dismissed nonchalantly as the Minister did this morning.

    Any policy being deployed at scale, will suffer several implementation challenges which only constructive feedback can help manage and rectify. In fact, non-agriculture sector policy decisions can have profound implications on the success of components of the planting for food and jobs programme.

    Take the current increases in fuel prices as a caveat, transportation costs will not only increase in the value chain as a direct consequence, but a pass-through effect which will chip away incomes of farmers and other actors will be threatened, and given the objective of the PFJ, a feedback on this should be considered. One of the main objectives of the PFJ was to ensure immediate and adequate supply of selected food crops across the country.

    A survey of markets and consumers do not imply that there is adequate availability of these food crops. Prices of some of these selected food crops have more than doubled in real terms (when we adjust for inflation) since 2016, and this has nothing to do with how sexy or otherwise, the PFJ programme looks in the eye of the sector Minister. It is the acknowledgement of the problem and consistent engagement with stakeholders that can produce outcomes desirable for both government and Ghanaians. The Minister’s resort to ‘window dressing’ the facts and simply disrespecting the experiences of farmers will not fix the problem. Again, we have more than doubled our maize production from 1.8 million to 3 million tonnes, according to the Minister, but market price of 100 kg of maize has risen from GHS100.00 in 2016 to almost GHS290.00 in 2022.

    Unless the Minister doesn’t have price points such as this or simply does not acknowledge the

    experience of Ghanaians and farmers, both results are not desirable for development of the sector. How

    come poultry farmers continue to lament on the price and availability of corn for their feed? How come

    prices of vegetables such as tomatoes and onions are rising daily and why do we keep importing them

    from our neighbours? It is not smallholder farmers and other sector players that issued a directive to

    ban the export of food to neighbouring countries due to existential risks a few months ago, is it? The

    government acting through the Minister did! It is for this reason that the undersigned organisations as

    key actors in the sector have long called for a shift in the country’s strategy to organic methods of

    farming, most of which will rely on safe domestic agroecological techniques, to insulate the country

    from some of the current external geopolitical pressures. Sadly, we have a Minister who happens to

    have some ‘holy grail data’ manufactured by him, which runs counter to the real experiences of

    Ghanaians and farmers as well as the government’s statistician.

    Lastly, the President of the Republic called for Ghanaians to be citizens not spectators! The approach

    of the sector Minister – a complete disregard for real living experiences and credible data from

    institutions operating in the sector including the government’s statistician, we are afraid suggests the

    contrary. The sector Minister is well within his rights to disagree with the views, data and experiences

    of actors in the sector. But to do that from an uninformed position, while not providing evidence, but

    vituperations and invectives for the simple reason of disagreeing and the insatiable desire to hear the

    sound of his own voice is simply untenable in a sector as important as Agriculture and particularly at

    this time with such risks in the sector. He can do better and frankly should do better! The undersigned

    institutions have at different forums acknowledged the work of the Ministry in the sector, and proceeded

    to point out blinds spots, and areas of weaknesses which can be addressed given the varied experiences

    of different actors in the sector. The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana for instance has in times

    past worked with the Ministry and created platforms for the leadership therein to engage with its

    community of more than 1.3 million smallholder farmers across the country on modalities for

    implementation of the fertiliser subsidy programme. This is significant, and comments such as that

    made by the Minister on CitiFM this morning that PFAG and other groups in the sector are “people

    who hide behind big names to pretend that they are speaking for a certain group of people” is very

    unfortunate. It is important to remind the Minister that while acting as the Ranking Member of the

    Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee of Parliament in opposition, these same organisations

    collaborated with him and the committee to advocate for several issues in the sector, which the then

    Mahama-led government had to address. We are simply interested in getting the attention of policy

    makers to critical issues that must be addressed to ensure sustainable food production and improvement

    in the livelihood and living experiences of Ghanaians. Our position has not changed! That of the

    Minister has changed and perhaps, a bit more openness and receptive engagement with the 11.3 million

    farmers and key stakeholders across the country represented by the undersigned organisations and their

    allies, will be better for the Ministry and the government!

    2We remain ever committed to working with government and other stakeholders in ensuring some respite

    is brought to farmers and Ghanaians, despite the unfortunate comments of the sector Minister. We are

    in no position to suggest to the Minister how to do his job – take feedback on his policies, adjust to

    fidelity in policy scalability during implementation and certainly conduct of public interviews when the

    living experiences of Ghanaians are in question, but we sure know that this current approach could

    generate negative externalities which are anti-collaborative to turn the fortunes of the sector around.

    Perhaps, the kitchen is too hot? Well, the Minister may well know what to do.

    Sincerely,

    1. Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) – 0203035672

    2. Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) – Anthony Morrison – 0540742111

    3. General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) – Edward Kareweh – 0244529484

    4. The Rice Millers Association of Ghana (RMAG) – Yaw Adupoku – 0554024137

    5. Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG) – Edwin Baffour – 0244333095