Mahama Orders Buffer Stock to Supply Locally Produced Rice to All Schools
Directive aims to stop the use of imported rice in school feeding programmes and support Ghanaian rice farmers.
- President Mahama orders centralised procurement of rice for schools.
- Ghana Buffer Stock Company will supply locally produced rice nationwide
- Policy aims to support Ghanaian rice farmers and reduce rice imports
John Dramani Mahama has directed that the procurement of rice for schools across the country be centralised to prioritise locally produced rice.
The directive follows reports that some schools are still purchasing imported rice for feeding programmes, despite an earlier government policy encouraging institutions to source food items locally.
In a communication to the Ministry of Education Ghana, the President expressed concern that the continued use of imported rice undermines efforts to strengthen local agricultural production and support Ghanaian rice farmers.
To address the situation, he has ordered that rice procurement for schools be immediately centralised under the Ghana Buffer Stock Company Limited.
Under the new arrangement, the company will handle the procurement, aggregation, and nationwide distribution of locally produced rice to schools.
The Ministry of Education has also been tasked to work with the Ghana Education Service and the Buffer Stock Company to establish effective coordination and distribution systems to ensure the timely supply of rice.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader agenda to promote domestic agriculture, expand market opportunities for local farmers, reduce reliance on imported food products, and strengthen local value chains.
The Office of the President has urged the Ministry of Education to treat the directive as urgent and keep it updated on the implementation process.
