Agric Minister Rejects Calls for 6-Month Rice Import Ban over Low Local Production

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has dismissed calls by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana for a six-month ban on rice imports, saying he does not have the data to support such a move and lacks the legal capacity to impose it unilaterally.

Speaking to the press in response to the Association’s demand, the Minister said Ghana has not yet reached full sufficiency in rice production.

He explained that without empirical evidence showing local output can meet national demand, he cannot take action that would risk food shortages.

“As it stands now, I do not have the capacity to place a ban on the importation of rice. I can only recommend,” Opoku said.

“As it stands now, Ghana has not attained full sufficiency in rice production. I don’t have the figures that indicate to me that we produce sufficiently to place that ban. If I get that indication, I will act accordingly. I don’t want to say something that cannot be supported with empirical evidence.”

The Peasant Farmers Association has been pushing for a temporary ban to protect local rice farmers from competition with cheaper imported rice.

They argue that a six-month restriction would create market space for Ghanaian paddy and milled rice, boost farmer incomes, and encourage investment in the local rice value chain.

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