Government workers can buy foodstuff directly from the Food and Agriculture Ministry as the much-anticipated food market has officially been opened.

The move, according to the Ministry, is aimed at cushioning Ghanaians and mitigating the impact of rising food prices.

The first truckload from the farm gates arrived this morning and they are already being set up for prospective customers to patronize.

Reporting from the scene, JoyNews’ Richard Kwadwo Nyarko said currently only plantain is on sale.

A bunch of the plantain, he said is being sold minimum of GH₵10 and maximum of GH₵25.

“They opened this market around 9 o’clock and people have been trooping in to buy their stuff. And they [the Ministry] say they are selling it to the Civil Servants around,” he said.

Mr Nyarko further revealed that there is a well-laid-out procedure at the Ministry to ensure the safety of customers and sellers as well.

“When you come and identify the product you want and you are issued with a card. With that card, you go to a table where you make payment with the card you were issued with earlier and you are given a receipt.”

Even though the Ministry claims the foodstuffs are cheap, patrons who spoke to JoyNews said there is no significant difference between the price at the Ministry and the ones being sold at various market in Accra.