The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has called on the Ministry of Trade, its allied agencies, and national security authorities to conduct an urgent audit of the country’s rice market.
The call comes amid what the Chamber describes as a national agricultural emergency. The Chamber has previously warned that Ghana’s grain sector faces a severe crisis characterised by unsold produce, inconsistent policies, and market distortions.
Over 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice, maize, and soya beans remain unsold across the country, creating significant financial strain for farmers.
CAG has attributed the oversupply to poor market coordination, restrictive policies, and rising imports that have depressed farm-gate prices. Local rice production currently stands at about 900,000 metric tonnes, while annual consumption reaches nearly 1.9 million metric tonnes.
Despite this, large volumes of milled and paddy rice remain unsold, partly due to smuggling, expired imports, and weak enforcement of quality standards.
According to Anthony Kofiuto Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of CAG, the move is necessary to ensure tax compliance, verify stock levels, and remove substandard rice from circulation.
“We are calling on the Ministry of Trade and its allied agencies, as well as national security, to urgently go into the market, map all available brands, and check which are paying the right taxes.
“Authorities should also inspect warehouses to verify stock levels. In addition, the Food and Drugs Authority and Standards Authority must check substandard rice to enable a comprehensive audit,” Morrison said on the Channel One Newsroom on Tuesday November 4.
In addition to the immediate audit, CAG has called for measures to stabilise the rice market, including a three-month ban on rice imports, the repeal of restrictive soya bean export regulations, and the establishment of a Strategic Grain Reserve Procurement Programme to purchase surplus produce directly from farmers.
Source: citinewsroom.com
