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Dr. Charles Nyaaba, CEO of Akuafo Nketewa, has voiced strong criticism of the Food and Agriculture Minister’s approach to the tomato shortage in the country, arguing that government communication alone will not resolve the crisis. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, March 26, Dr. Nyaaba stressed that unless farmers are directly engaged, the looming supply gap between now and mid-May will persist.
“This is not about public relations. It’s about Ghanaian panic,” Dr. Nyaaba said, referring to the uncertainty surrounding tomato supply. He explained that while the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, recently assured the public that the government is taking action to address the issue, farmers remain in the dark about the actual plans and what the future holds.
Dr. Nyaaba was responding to the Minister’s announcement of a new initiative under the Feed Ghana Programme aimed at scaling up local tomato production. The plan includes expanding cultivation from 1,000 acres to 40,000 hectares, with support for farmers through improved seeds, plant protection products, irrigation systems, and partnerships to ensure markets for their produce.
However, Dr. Nyaaba believes that the government’s approach lacks critical farmer involvement. “Since this issue arose, no farmer has been consulted. We don’t know what’s really going on,” he said, adding that claims of mobilizing 100 communities to grow tomatoes have not been confirmed by local stakeholders. He also raised doubts about the feasibility of the government’s plan, particularly given that Ghana heavily relies on tomato imports from Burkina Faso between December and May.
“What has been done from March to May to ensure we don’t panic, especially when we can’t rely on Burkina Faso?” he asked.
The situation has been made worse by reports that Ghanaian traders, especially women, are being blocked from accessing tomato supplies in Burkina Faso during the lean season. Dr. Nyaaba emphasized that without involving farmers in efforts to increase production, building new market infrastructures would not resolve the ongoing supply challenges.
“There’s a big difference between creating marketing centres and increasing production. If farmers are not involved in how to boost production, how will we supply those markets?” he questioned.
Despite the government’s claims of success in pilot projects across 81 communities, and the establishment of Farmer Service Centres and a farmers’ market near the University of Ghana bypass, Dr. Nyaaba believes that the government’s media engagements are more about public messaging than tangible progress. “PR won’t put food on the table,” he said, stressing that a coordinated national effort and clear support packages for farmers are necessary to stabilize supply and prevent rising prices.
While some farmers are already preparing for the next season independently, Dr. Nyaaba insists that government support and direct farmer engagement are essential to address the tomato shortage effectively.
Story:Efua Nessa
Source:Loco tv