Ghana Well-Prepared for Tomato Supply Despite Burkina Faso Export Ban – Minister Eric Opoku
Minister assures sufficient tomato supply despite Burkina Faso export ban
- Minister Eric Opoku assures Ghanaians that measures are in place to meet national tomato demand despite Burkina Faso’s export ban.
- Under the Feed Ghana initiative, tomato cultivation is set to increase from 1,000 acres in 2025 to 40,000 acres this year
- Households are encouraged to grow tomatoes at home to support food security and supplement household feeding
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has dismissed fears of a tomato shortage in Ghana following Burkina Faso’s recent export ban.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Wednesday, March 25, Mr. Opoku assured the public that sufficient measures are in place to meet the country’s demand.
“This shortage is not going to occur anywhere. We are taking adequate steps to produce more than the national requirement. I want to assure Ghanaians that the situation is not alarming,” he said.
Under the Feed Ghana initiative launched in 2025, the Ministry identified 81 communities and supported them to cultivate roughly 1,000 acres of tomatoes. Mr. Opoku stated that production is set to increase significantly this year.
“From the projects started in 2025, we worked with 81 communities and cultivated 1,000 acres of land. This year, we plan to scale up to 40,000 acres. Processing centres have been set up around the University of Ghana bypass, serving as farmers’ markets where people can buy fresh tomatoes,” he added.
He also encouraged households to embrace backyard gardening as a way to boost food security.
“We encourage every Ghanaian to have a backyard garden. This is the ideal time to intensify the campaign. Tomatoes can be planted at home, wherever you are, to supplement household feeding,” Mr. Opoku urged.
