The Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Bagbara Tanko, has said that there’s no food crisis in the country, traders are just insensitive with the price.
Speaking on Movement In The Morning Show Mr Tanko said, ‘’ the Minister visited the middle belt- Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, Ashanti and Eastern Region to monitor the food situation in these Regions. The team went to the Techiman maize market and we realized that 27,000 metre tonnes of maize from last year were still in the market. We would have had surplus if not for traders who come from the neighboring countries to buy but we still have more for the locals. We have more than enough food on the market’’.
Mr Tanko however blames some market women for the increase in food prices.
He said, ‘’there is enough food but the increase in food prices is the issue. Traders buy at a cheaper price from the farmers, but bring it to the market and sell it at an outrageous price to make more profits-that is what is contributing to the increase in food prices. I understand the upsurge in fuel and transportation is a contributing factor but some traders are over pricing”.
He revealed that there is enough maize in the country and speculations about the shortage of maize should be disregarded
‘’Ghana wants to be self-sufficient in rice production by 2023’’, he added.
He indicated that the Ministry has introduced a special rice initiative to make quality local rice a priority to minimize the importation of foreign rice and ensure it is no longer attractive to Ghanaians.
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