Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has pushed back against claims that the Ministry is inactive in addressing Ghana’s tomato supply challenges, describing such assertions as unfair and misleading.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM Dwaso Nsem, the Minister said significant work has already been done to reduce the country’s long-standing dependence on tomato imports from Burkina Faso.
“For a very long time, we have all been worried about the fact that for a long time, we depend on Burkina Faso for tomatoes,” he said.
He explained that earlier engagements with market women and importers revealed that local tomato varieties had high water content and spoiled quickly, making them less suitable for large-scale trade.
“They made us understand that the local tomatoes have a high-water content so it rots in a few days… so the technical team put their heads together to see the best way forward,” he noted.
According to the Minister, the Ministry has since supported the development of improved tomato varieties that outperform those previously imported.
“The Ministry supported and we have been able to develop a variety far better than the Burkina Faso… so we have crossed that hurdle,” he stated.
Mr. Opoku added that government is also taking steps to scale up production through irrigation and other interventions.
“By way of scaling up production, we decided on irrigation farming but we cannot completely wait for a full scale rollout… alternatively, we have started solar powered boreholes for the farmers,” he said.
He further indicated that farmers have been supported with seeds, organic fertilisers, and technical guidance to boost output, although reliance on rain-fed agriculture continues to limit yields.
“So this year, we have harvested a lot of tomatoes but because it is rain-fed, you won’t get it as expected,” he explained.
The Minister disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the Finance Ministry to secure funding to accelerate irrigation expansion and other interventions.
“But now, we need to discuss with the Finance Ministry so we can move up faster… once they give us the authorisation… within the shortest possible time we will be done,” he said.
He also revealed that John Dramani Mahama has taken a keen interest in the situation following Burkina Faso’s export ban, urging the Ministry to fast-track its plans.
“When the ban came, President Mahama has reached out… and has advised that we scale up following this emergency,” he noted.
Mr. Opoku, however, expressed concern over suggestions that the Ministry is idle, particularly in light of a 90-day ultimatum issued by the Food and Beverages Association Ghana (FABAG), which has demanded swift action to address the tomato shortage or risk being deemed ineffective.
“So, I will be worried if someone suggests that the Ministry doesn’t know what we are doing… that is why I am worried at the 90-day ultimatum from FABAG,” he said.
He stressed that government processes, including procurement and funding approvals, must be followed before large-scale interventions can be implemented.
“John is abreast with the procurement laws and processes that the Ministry cannot just get up and do something without authorisation from the Finance Ministry,” he explained.
According to him, criticism should be based on whether resources have been made available and not simply on timelines.
“To give this ultimatum, you must understand that there are resources available… once they have the resources, if the Ministry fails to act within a certain timeframe, then that is why you have a cause to complain,” he added.
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