The Member of Parliament for Offinso North, Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, has raised concerns in Parliament over the recent ban on fresh tomato exports from Burkina Faso, warning that the development exposes Ghana’s economic vulnerability and growing food security risks due to the country’s heavy reliance on external tomato supplies.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Dr. Asamoah described the situation as a critical national concern that highlights the urgent need for Ghana to strengthen domestic agricultural production, particularly in tomato farming.
According to him, Ghana’s tomato production continues to fall short of national demand. He disclosed that in 2023, Ghana recorded a baseline production of about 468,000 metric tonnes, compared to an estimated national demand of 1.265 million metric tonnes within the same period.
He noted that despite increasing demand for tomatoes, local production has been declining, creating a supply deficit of nearly 60 percent. The MP stressed that addressing the gap requires aggressive investment in local production rather than continued dependence on imports.
“It is imperative that we strengthen domestic production, especially in the Offinso North Constituency, where large-scale tomato farming has long been established,” he said.
Dr. Asamoah highlighted Akomadan, within the Offinso North Constituency, as one of Ghana’s key tomato producing hubs, adding that tomato farming remains a major source of livelihood for many residents in his constituency.
His concerns follow a directive issued by the Government of Burkina Faso on March 16, 2026, suspending all exports of fresh tomatoes with immediate effect. The move, authorities in Burkina Faso indicated, is aimed at protecting domestic processing industries and ensuring adequate raw material supply for local factories.
The Offinso North MP therefore called on government and relevant stakeholders to take urgent steps to boost local production capacity. He proposed the expansion of the Akomadan irrigation scheme, adoption of modern farming technologies, establishment of storage and processing facilities, and increased support for farmers through access to credit, inputs, extension services, and improved feeder roads.
“With the right investment, Offinso North can help meet Ghana’s tomato demand throughout the year while creating sustainable employment opportunities,” he stated.
Responding to the concerns, Agriculture Minister Hon. Eric Opoku acknowledged the urgency of the situation, calling it a challenge that has confronted Ghana for many years and one now demanding immediate government attention.
Hon. Opoku revealed that his ministry has already held consultations with university research institutions, who have indicated they can provide tomato varieties capable of yielding up to 20 thousand tonnes per hectare significantly above current national averages.
The Minister confirmed that resources have been made available to support the rollout of these high yield varieties and that government is committed to delivering a lasting, structural solution rather than a short-term fix.