President John Mahama has directed the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to release an additional GH₵200 million to purchase surplus maize from farmers affected by the current glut across the country.
The move forms part of the government’s broader effort to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance food security, and preserve excess produce for future use.
Speaking at the launch of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Poultry Initiative in Kumasi, President Mahama noted that an earlier allocation of GH₵100 million had been provided to the National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to address the maize surplus, but the funds were insufficient.
“Our farmers are worried. There’s a glut on the market, so I asked the Finance Minister to provide GH₵100 million to the National Buffer Stock Company to buy up the surplus maize so that when there’s a shortage later in the year, it can be released. They have finished purchasing with the first GH₵100 million, but there’s still a lot of maize on the market and prices remain low,” he said.
He added that with maize prices continuing to drop and many farmers unable to make profits, the government had no choice but to intervene further.
“I’ve directed the Finance Minister to release an additional GH₵200 million to buy the remaining surplus and store it for future use,” he stated.
President Mahama also announced that similar interventions would be extended to other crops, particularly rice.
“It is the same situation with rice. I’ve instructed the Buffer Stock Company to purchase the excess and keep it as well,” he noted.
In addition, the President outlined new initiatives to support poultry farmers.
“I have also instructed Buffer Stock to purchase rice from our local farmers to prevent losses. For eggs, I have asked the managers of the school feeding programme to include eggs in student meals,” he said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting farmers’ livelihoods, stabilising food prices, and strengthening the agricultural value chain.
“No Ghanaian farmer should suffer losses simply because they produced in abundance,” Mahama emphasised.
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