The Agric Ministry has hinted at an amendment of the ’Export and Import- restriction of soya bean regulation 2020 (L.I 2432).’

The Legislative Instrument was enacted to check the illegal export of Soyabeans.

Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of crops, Yaw Frimpong, who disclosed this, however did not give a specific timeframe as to when the amendment will take place.

“Although there is a ban, the old law on grain supplements is going to be amended,” he said on JoyFM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, May 30.

He noted that in the interim, the Food and Agriculture Ministry will intensify sensitisation at the local level as part of measures to curtail the menace.

“There will be more regulatory measures to tackle this one, but for now, we have to rely on the security agencies to be able to apprehend and punish people who are engaging in this act,” he said.

He noted that in spite of measures in place, smuggling of grains continues to be a challenge the country is faced with.

“We need to curtail smuggling and we all have to dialogue to find solutions to this problem. It’s a collective responsibility. We will continue to educate the people in our local communities and the farmers and I am confident that we will see a major reduction in this smuggling,” he said.

Government placed a temporary ban on the export of grains last year as a measure to protect the collapsing poultry industry.

Export of all grains must be accompanied by an approved export permit, duly signed by the Trade and Industry Minister.

However, the enforcement of this directive has been a challenge, giving room for the smuggling of these grains out of the country. In effect, the country loses over GHC¢166 million.

JoyNews investigations have also revealed how the complicity of immigration and customs officials, farmers, as well as poor roads in Chereponi in the North East Region, are fueling the illegal export of soya beans and other grains to Togo, Nigeria, and Benin.