GOVERNMENT downplayed fears that the ongoing crisis in Burkina Faso will affect the country’s food supply.
The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Crops, Dr. Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan stated: “I don’t think Ghana will suffer because of the crisis. Tomatoes, yes, we import from them, but the volumes of tomatoes we import from them does not even make up for the one that we produce in the Volta Region alone”.
He urged Ghanaian exporters of food stuff must take advantage of the Burkina Faso crisis and increase their revenue.
Dr Alhassan said: “We are praying that the situation stabilizes so that it does not have an impact on our economy. But let me stress that any eventual problems that may emerge should have a positive impact on the agric economy of Ghana, the immediate effect will be on the agric economy of Burkina Faso, so I think our farmers must rather take advantage of this. The crisis will rather work to the advantage of the Ghanaian farmer”.
Some Ghanaians earlier expressed fear that the current crisis in Burkina Faso could lead to a possible shortage of tomatoes and other vegetables in the coming months if current crisis in that Francophone country lasts.
This was the fear expressed by tomato sellers in Ghana. Ghana depends chiefly on imported tomatoes from Burkina Faso between December and May every year.
Demand for the vegetable significantly increases during the Christmas season because Ghana does not cultivate at that time of the year.
African Eye News
