The Government of Ghana has welcomed a decision by the Government of Burkina Faso to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes, describing it as a significant step towards stabilising supply on the local market.

In a press release issued on Thursday, April 2, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry said it had “taken note of the decision by the Government of Burkina Faso to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes.”

“The Government of Ghana has taken note of the decision by the Government of Burkina Faso to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes,” the statement reiterated.

According to the Ministry, the move is expected to ease the flow of fresh tomatoes into Ghana and contribute to stabilising supply for consumers and industry players.

“Government welcomes this development, which is expected to ease the flow of fresh tomatoes into Ghana and contribute to stabilising supply on the local market,” the statement noted.

The decision by the Burkinabe authorities was communicated through a joint communiqué and follows improvements in the supply situation to local processing units in Burkina Faso, as well as firm commitments by stakeholders to ensure adequate availability of tomatoes for domestic industrial use.

The Ministry further highlighted that the development underscores the effectiveness of ongoing bilateral engagements between the two countries. It cited recent high-level discussions involving Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and her Burkinabe counterparts.

“Notably, one of the five key bilateral meetings held by Ghana’s Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and her Burkina Faso counterparts on the margins of the WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, has yielded an immediate result with the removal of the restriction on trade in fresh tomatoes,” the statement said.

Government also called on tomato traders and other stakeholders to collaborate with authorities to ensure sustained benefits from the decision.

“Tomato traders and all relevant partners are being encouraged to partner Government as it continues to take appropriate steps to protect both consumers and industry players,” the Ministry urged.

Looking ahead, the Ministry indicated that it would continue working closely with its Burkinabe counterparts and other stakeholders to maintain a smooth trading environment.

“The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, in collaboration with other relevant state institutions, will continue its engagements with Burkinabe counterparts and key stakeholders to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment between the two countries,” the statement added.

Government further assured the public of its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s domestic tomato value chain and safeguarding local industries.

“Government wishes to assure the public that it remains committed to implementing the necessary measures to safeguard local industries and strengthen the domestic tomato value chain,” the release said.

It noted that ongoing programmes such as the Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana initiatives are being intensified to boost local production, improve yields, and ensure a stable and sustainable supply of tomatoes by Ghanaian farmers.

The statement also outlined additional interventions across the value chain, including irrigation projects by the Ministry of Agriculture to support year-round tomato production, as well as efforts to promote backward integration among processors and the allocation of suitable lands for large-scale cultivation.

“Efforts are underway and ongoing programmes, including the Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana initiatives, are being intensified to boost local production, improve yields, and ensure a stable and sustainable supply of tomatoes by Ghanaian farmers,” it stated.

“Additionally, engagements are ongoing with processors within the tomato value chain to promote backward integration, while suitable lands are being made available for large-scale tomato cultivation to supply both processors and the domestic market.”