Owusu Afriyie: Food Shortage Not The Cause Of Price Hikes

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon Owusu Afriyie Akoto has informed that the situation of price hikes on foods is not a result of food shortage on the side of farmers.

He said farmers, have done their part such that there is the availability of food at the farms which is being sold at cheap prices yet ends up at the markets at expensive ones.

The minister relayed the information at the Manhyia Palace with a delegation led by the Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah.

Hon Afriyie Akoto stated that, the sector’s annual tour to the regions brought about the revelation of which a step will be taken to manage it.

He added that, they have so far visited about three regions and are next to tour the Eastern Region for further updates on the causes of high food prices.

“We began our tour at Ahafo then to Bono and Techiman and it became needful to come to you for advice on the observations we’ve made. On our tour to the three regions and Ashanti we have realized that farmers have really worked, with Techiman, the available maize which remains unsold is about 27,000metric tones we all saw it, the regional minister and other officials, so food is available but it’s the problem of pricing, they are being sold at cheaper rates but given high prices when they get to the markets. So we’re on it, from here we are touring the Eastern Region after which resolutions to these issues will be developed.”

Source: Opemsuo.com/ Monica M. Appiah-Manu