Gov’t Engages ECOWAS and WFP to Address Grain Oversupply – Eric Opoku
Minister Eric Opoku says talks with ECOWAS and WFP aim to ease pressure on farmers facing a nationwide grain glut
- Gov’t engages ECOWAS and WFP to help absorb excess grains
- Buffer Stock begins buying surplus to reduce post-harvest losses
- Talks ongoing with West African countries interested in Ghana’s cereals
The Government of Ghana has initiated discussions with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in a renewed push to address the mounting oversupply of grains and cereals on the local market.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, November 24, 2025, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, disclosed that talks with ECOWAS are expected to yield rapid interventions to assist farmers currently burdened with excessive stocks of maize, rice, and eggs.
He stressed that the nationwide glut has led to substantial post-harvest losses.
According to the minister, the National Food Buffer Stock Company has already begun buying up part of the surplus to reduce the strain on producers.
“We have spoken to the WFP, who are also engaging partners in other countries to explore how they can help mop up the excess,” he said.
He further noted that ECOWAS officials are scheduled to meet him to consider what strategic steps the regional body can take, given its mandate to maintain emergency food reserves.
Mr. Opoku added that the ministry is also holding discussions with several West African and other African governments facing cereal shortages, many of whom have shown interest in sourcing grains from Ghana to boost their reserves.
In a related development, the minister announced the inauguration of the PBC Shea Board and the reopening of the PBC Shea Butter Factory — originally built in 2015 under President John Dramani Mahama but shut down in 2019. The facility has been revamped over the past 10 months.
He revealed that the factory has already secured export contracts to supply shea butter to the Netherlands and other international markets. Ghana’s shea butter, he emphasized, is regarded globally as a premium product.
Government, he added, is exploring measures to expand processing capacity and considering restrictions on the export of raw shea nuts to enhance local value addition.
