The Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen has commissioned a seven-member Soya Bean Export Permit Committee.

The regulatory taskforce is in furtherance of the Export and Import – Restrictions on Exportation of Soya Bean, Regulation 2020 (L.I 2432) which came into effect in December 2020. 

Reports suggest a tremendous increase in the export of soya bean from Ghana.

This has resulted in competition among exporters while creating shortages of the commodity for use by the livestock and poultry industry. The price hikes have also made it expensive for local processing.

Mr. Kyerematen is worried the situation “defeats the purpose for which soya bean production is being subsidized by the government under the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme”.   

The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture initiated and implemented the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme in 2017 with the aim of substantially increasing production of various food crops including soya beans.

The production of soya bean, which is currently being subsidized by the government, is to boost domestic livestock and poultry production.  

In addition, under the One District One Factory (1D1F) Initiative, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has supported a number of poultry feed processing companies.

This has led to significant increase in local poultry production hence high demand for soya bean which is one of the main raw material inputs.

Speaking at a ceremony in Accra to inaugurate the committee, Mr. Kyerematen noted that his outfit requested a process to regulate the export of soya bean to curtail the unhealthy trend.

“In this regard, the Ministry undertook the process to institute restrictions on the export and import of Soya bean.

"Parliament passed this new legislation Export and Import – Restrictions on Exportation of Soya Bean, Regulation 2020 (L.I 2432)”, in October 2020 and came into force in December the same year,” he said.

The export legislation required that a Committee be set up to implement the regulations.

Section 3(2) of the legislation indicates that the Export Permit Committee should consist of one representative from; Ministry of Trade & Industry not below the rank of a Director. – Chairperson, Ministry of Food & Agriculture not below the rank of a Director and Ghana Export Promotion Authority not below the rank of a Director.

The rest are the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority not below the rank of a Director, Food & Drugs Authority not below the rank of a Director, Poultry Farmers’ Association (nominated by the Minister responsible for Food and Agriculture) and Soya Bean Producers (nominated by the Minister responsible for Food & Agriculture).

Mr. Alan Kyerematen was hopeful that the committee will be diligent in their responsibilities to ensure an effective regulation of Soya Bean exports.