The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has announced that the government plans to lift the recently imposed ban on grain exports by November.
This decision comes in response to the shortfalls in grain production experienced in northern Ghana, attributed to an unexpected dry spell.
The ban, which was implemented last week, was initially introduced as a precautionary measure to ensure that domestic food needs were prioritized amidst growing concerns over food security.
The abrupt dry spell in northern Ghana had significantly affected crop yields, leading to a notable decrease in grain production.
This decline raised alarms about the potential for rising grain prices and inflationary pressures, prompting the government to act swiftly by restricting grain exports.
“We had to make sure our food supply was secure before considering any exports,” Dr. Acheampong explained during an interaction with journalists.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Acheampong expressed optimism that the situation would improve by November, allowing for the resumption of grain exports.
He emphasized that the government is closely monitoring weather patterns and agricultural outputs.
“We believe that by November, when the northern harvest, southern sector crops, and imports come in, the situation will stabilize,” he assured.
