The Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, has linked Ghana’s ongoing tomato shortage to longstanding policy shortcomings and the country’s heavy dependence on imports, particularly from Burkina Faso.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on Saturday, March 21, Dr Otokunor criticised previous agricultural policies, arguing that several interventions failed to bring about the desired transformation in the sector.

He described the current situation as evidence of deeper systemic issues. “The tomato problem clearly reflects shortcomings in government investment and implementation,” he remarked.

According to him, Ghana imports as much as 75 per cent of its tomato supply during the dry season, with the bulk coming from Burkina Faso between December and May. This reliance, he noted, has left the country exposed to external shocks.

Dr Otokunor explained that recent export restrictions imposed by Burkina Faso—largely driven by its push to expand local processing and add value to its produce—have further strained supply in Ghana.

While acknowledging the legitimacy of Burkina Faso’s approach, he stressed the need for Ghana to respond strategically.

“It is understandable from their standpoint, but it is equally important for us to engage them constructively while addressing our own production challenges,” he said.

He also pointed to uncompleted agricultural initiatives launched before 2016, suggesting that their successful execution could have significantly boosted domestic tomato production.

Looking beyond the immediate crisis, Dr Otokunor expressed optimism about Ghana’s long-term prospects in the sector.

He maintained that with the right investments and a focus on value addition, the country could become highly competitive in tomato production on the global stage.