The Agric Minister says the recent hike in food prices is usually around August and September, assuring consumers that they should expect it to normalise by January 2022.
Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto speaking on PM Express on the JoyNews channel, the Minister said, "We expect that prices and supplies will be back to normal come November, December, January."
He also explained that the underlying factor for the recent hike is drought which resulted in low yields.
"Every four, five years, there's a drought; it's not something new. So prices have always gone up in this period, seasonally every year.
"If you look at the records going back 60 years or more, Every five years there's been a drought, and we've been lucky. We had normal years from 2017 through to 2019, and in 2020 we were hit.
"In the southern part of the country, there was a drought in both the minor and major seasons. So obviously, that's the underlying factor.
The Minister admits that the production of crops such as maise and other grains went down but insists it primarily affected the feed for livestock and not human consumption.
Dr Afriyie Akoto also dismissed suggestions that prices are high due to the shortage of food on the market.
He said that the country is experiencing low stocks and not a shortage.
The Minister further stated that "countries coming to Ghana to buy grains are doing so because they are experiencing shortages, but in Ghana, we are exporting, so there can't be a shortage. The shortage is when, in spite of what money you carry, you can't get food to buy," he said.
Latest Stories
-
Africa Development Council urges ECOWAS action amid Togo’s constitutional crisis
2 hours -
Situate power sector challenges within the context of the 4th Republic – Jantuah
3 hours -
Empowering Youth through IT Education: IT For Youth Ghana College leads the way
3 hours -
Trump criminal case: Full 12-person jury seated in Manhattan
3 hours -
Israel Gaza: US again warns against Rafah offensive
3 hours -
Man arrested in Poland over alleged Russia plot to kill Zelensky
3 hours -
Over 100 arrested as US college Gaza protest cleared
3 hours -
Justmoh Construction begins work on dualization of Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta road
3 hours -
MGL visits Dumor family following passing of Mawuena Trebarh
4 hours -
In Pursuit of Peace and Unity: Interfaith Leaders Promote Dialogue – Chief Doli-Wura to Africa Union
4 hours -
TEWU raises concern over quality of food served in SHS
5 hours -
Ghanaian students gear up for Robotics World Championship
5 hours -
Political interference makes public sector managers appear incompetent – Dr Manteaw
5 hours -
Police arrest truck driver alleged to have caused train crash
6 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams FC depart to Cairo ahead of semis first leg against Zamalek
6 hours