The government has announced a set of measures to address the pressing challenges facing the country's rice and maize farmers, following a petition and warnings of nationwide protests by the various associations and stakeholders in the value chain.

The key measures announced by the government include a directive for all state institutions to procure locally produced rice and maize, the release of funds to the National Buffer Stock Company to absorb excess produce, and the allocation of resources in the 2026 budget for the purchase of local staples.

With this announcement, the associations have temporarily suspended their planned protests and their call to boycott the 2025 Farmers' Day celebration, pending the implementation of the measures.

Background

The farmer associations had petitioned the government to suspend foreign rice imports for six months, enhance border control, and establish a guaranteed minimum price for rice and maize, citing financial losses for farmers.

Additionally, they demanded the formulation of a comprehensive, long-term importation policy aligned with the nation's production capacity.

The associations also urged the government to issue a directive requiring all public institutions—including schools, health facilities, correctional institutions, and security agencies—to procure exclusively Ghana-grown rice and maize.

They further demanded the immediate release of funds to the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to purchase surplus produce, as well as the establishment of a guaranteed minimum price to safeguard local farmers and stabilize the domestic market.

The associations had previously warned that failure to address these concerns would lead to nationwide demonstrations commencing in Tamale and extending through the Central and Volta Regions, culminating in picketing at Jubilee House in Accra. They also called for a nationwide boycott of the 2025 Farmers' Day celebration.

Addressing a press conference in Tamale, Chairman of the Ghana Association of Rice Producers and Processors, Alhaji Saibu Braimah, who spoke on behalf of the 12 associations, said the government had announced measures to mitigate the prevailing market challenges.

He said the President’s directive includes instructing all state institutions to procure locally produced rice and maize, releasing funds to the National Buffer Stock Company to absorb excess produce, and allocating dedicated resources in the 2026 national budget for the purchase of locally produced staples.

Alhaji Saibu said the associations have resolved to temporarily suspend all planned protest actions while continuing to monitor and engage the government constructively to ensure the directives are implemented and outstanding issues addressed.

He added that they have also put on hold their call to boycott the 2025 Farmers' Day celebration.

He expressed appreciation to members, farmer networks, allied groups, and individuals who supported the campaign, and extended gratitude to the President for responding to the concerns of Ghanaian farmers and millers.

The press conference was attended by representatives from the Association of Rice Producers and Processors, Chamber of Agribusiness, Association of Soya Value Chain Actors, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF), General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Network for Commercial Agricultural Production in Ghana (NETCAP), CropLife Ghana, Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG), Traders and Market Women Associations, and the Association of Parboiled Rice Millers.