Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul has said security personnel will be deployed to all border towns nationwide, particularly the northern part of the country to enforce the ban on grain export.

The government through the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong on Monday announced a ban on the export of grains, including maize, rice, and soybean, in response to the ongoing dry spell.

• Read also: Dry spell: Government bans export of grains with immediate effect

Mr Nitiwul has said the personnel will ensure these grains are not smuggled into neighbouring countries to prevent possible food shortage.

“We want to assure you, and the nation, that the security agencies are immediately activating their network to ensure that the ban on cereals, which has been listed, is rigidly enforced so that nobody will take even a single grain out,” he stated at a press conference.

Mr Nitiwul explained that, all security agencies will be mobilised to prevent exports and smuggling through both the approved and unapproved routes.

The Minister further encouraged citizens to actively participate in maintaining security by reporting any suspicious activities related to grain smuggling.

“You are security people. So as long as you see something that has escaped the eagle eye of the security, please let us know,” he said.

“We are deploying all across the borders, particularly the northern side, and also to the east and the south. If for some reason there is some unapproved route or approved route, or somebody sees something that is going on that is not right, please let us know so that we can act appropriately. It’s for the good of all of us that we should not make our citizens suffer,” he urged.