Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has assured that the government has not failed in addressing the ongoing local rice glut, saying that the situation is under control and will be resolved.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 8, Mr Opoku explained that the country is experiencing a surplus because of the “bountiful harvest” achieved this year.

“We are witnessing food gluts because of the bountiful harvest we have had this year. Harvesting is still ongoing across the five northern regions, and all the figures being put out are estimates. They cannot be the actual.”

He revealed that the government had anticipated the possibility of a glut and had already made financial provisions to manage it.

“During the budget preparation, we realised that if all our interventions became successful, we were going to have a bumper harvest. So, in the 2025 budget, we made provision of GH₵100 million to support the National Food Buffer Stock Company to mop up excess produce when the harvest season begins,” he said.

According to the Minister, the funds were quickly released when early signs of oversupply appeared.

“Within 10 to 12 days, the Buffer Stock Company reported that they had exhausted the ₵100 million, yet there was still more in the market,” he disclosed.

“Our technical team estimated that the government would need no less than GH₵500 million to completely clear the glut.”

Mr Opoku said discussions are ongoing with partners such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the private sector to secure more support. The government has also made available an additional GH₵100 million to help contain the situation.

However, he said that due process must be followed before the money can be used.

“It is not the case that when you receive the money, you can just go to the market and start buying. They have to go through procurement processes to select buyers to purchase on behalf of the state.”

He assured the public that the government is doing everything possible to prevent farmers from being discouraged.

“If we don’t clear the glut, our farmers will be discouraged and lose interest in investing again in agriculture. I want the public to know that the government has not failed the people of Ghana. We have succeeded in producing in excess of what the market requires now, and we are working to contain the excess.”

The Minister also addressed concerns of overpricing, clarifying that his ministry did not impose prices on farmers.

“We did not sit in the ministry and determine the price for them. A committee made up of the Peasant Farmers Association and other stakeholders determined the prices collectively. It was not an imposition from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.”

Touching on calls for a ban on rice importation, Mr Opoku cautioned that such a move would be premature.

“At the end of 2024, Ghana’s rice demand was estimated at 1.5 million tonnes, while local production hovered around 650,000 tonnes. If we impose a ban now without being able to meet demand, we’ll create another crisis,” he said.

He added that under the Feed Ghana Programme, the government’s target is to make the country self-sufficient in rice production by 2028, after which a ban could be considered.

“Where we are now, we still have a gap. Ghanaians have developed a taste for imported rice, and we all have a responsibility to shift our preference. Placing a ban now would be disastrous.”

To help absorb the excess produce, he said President John Dramani Mahama has directed key ministries to prioritise locally produced food in public institutions.

“The Ministry of Education has been directed to ensure that all food served to students and prison inmates is sourced locally. The President has also asked that excess eggs and grains be bought to support the School Feeding Programme, so farmers can recover their investments.”

The Minister assured that more detailed measures will be announced soon to address the situation.

“A lot of interventions are underway to contain the situation. By Monday, around 4 pm, we hope to officially announce the concrete steps we are taking to stabilise the market.”

Read also: Rice glut deepens as farmers struggle to sell last year’s harvest