The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has called on the government to take urgent action following the recent killings of Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso, warning that the tragedy highlights serious weaknesses in the country’s food system.
In a statement dated Wednesday, 18 February, PFAG said the incident could disrupt tomato supplies in Ghana, pushing up prices and putting a key nutritional staple at risk for millions of households.
The association described the situation as not only a supply chain issue, but also a matter of national security and economic sovereignty.
PFAG stated that Ghana is heavily dependent on imports from Burkina Faso, spending over $22.3 million on tomatoes in 2024, with more than 90 percent of these imports coming from the neighbouring country.
While national consumption is around 800,000 metric tonnes annually, domestic production only reaches 370,000 to 420,000 metric tonnes, leaving a significant gap. The association stressed that Ghana has the climate, land, and human resources to become self-sufficient and even a net exporter of tomatoes.
The group blamed the shortfall on several structural challenges, including over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture, low productivity with average yields of 7.5 metric tonnes per hectare, and post-harvest losses of 30-50 percent caused by poor storage, inadequate processing facilities, and weak road networks.
PFAG warned that without urgent interventions, farmers would remain uncompetitive, food prices would rise, and national food security would remain fragile.
PFAG outlined immediate actions for government, including accelerating irrigation development through the completion of the “Irrigation for Wealth Programme” and the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam, and providing boreholes and subsidised solar-powered pumps for year-round farming.
The association also urged the creation of strategic agricultural enclaves for high-demand vegetables, with water, power, and road infrastructure to attract investment.
Other recommendations included reducing production costs by supporting research institutions to develop high-quality, disease-resistant seeds, and implementing a national strategy to tackle post-harvest losses.
This would involve deploying extension officers, upgrading feeder roads, expanding storage and cold chain facilities, and establishing tomato processing factories in key production areas.
PFAG emphasised that these measures are critical investments in Ghana’s future. The association highlighted the growing challenges faced by farmers, including rice, maize, soya, yam, and cassava producers, who have suffered losses from recent market gluts and feel abandoned despite government assurances.
It urged government to provide immediate relief through direct purchases and strategic storage to support farmers under strain.
The statement concluded by calling on authorities to build a resilient agricultural system that ensures no farmer or consumer is left vulnerable, stressing that urgent action is needed to save the Ghanaian farmer and secure the nation’s food future.
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