The partners of the Eat Ghana Rice Campaign are appealing to all Ghanaian citizens, institutions, and corporate bodies to urgently turn to the consumption of domestically produced Ghana Rice to help resolve the immediate crisis of rice glut and safeguard the livelihoods of our dedicated farmers.
Media reports over the last week have highlighted a deeply concerning situation: an estimated 1.3 million metric tonnes of paddy rice are currently stalled, unsold, and stored in warehouses across the country due to a lack of buyers. This significant glut threatens to cause catastrophic losses for millions of Ghanaian farmers who have worked tirelessly to achieve record harvests.
We sincerely appreciate the intervention efforts currently being made by the government and the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to purchase excess stock. However, these governmental efforts alone cannot solve the problem. While we support these efforts by the government to mop up the glut, we call on Ghanaians to join the efforts and play our individual roles in helping tackle the challenge. Since 2019, the Eat Ghana Rice Campaign has been emphasising that the main sustainable and definitive solution lies in a collective, fundamental shift in our national consumption habits. The simple act of choosing Ghana Rice over imported ones will reduce the glut and empower our agricultural sector for the long term.
We understand that for years, the primary barrier to purchasing Ghana Rice was the lingering perception of inferior quality and concerns about the presence of stones and foreign materials. We are here to declare that this perception is outdated and inaccurate. The Ghana Rice value chain has undergone a dramatic, technological revolution. Millers have invested heavily in state-of-the-art dehusking, grading, polishing, and color sorting equipment.
Our leading brands are now meticulously processed using sophisticated machinery to ensure a clean, consumer-ready grain, in conformity with Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) standards. Ghana Rice grains are now beautifully polished, consistent in size, and deliver the non-sticky, fluffy texture that is essential for perfect Jollof, Waakye, and Plain Rice dishes. Unlike imported rice that spends months in transit, Ghana Rice comes straight from our fields to your plate, retaining a fresh, unique aroma and flavour, and are healthier and more nutritious. Ghana Rice brands are also cheaper.
The statistics surrounding our consumption habits are stark and demand immediate action. The Ghana Statistical Service’s 2024 Trade Report indicates that despite the availability of high-quality Ghana Rice alternatives, rice accounted for 7.8% of our nation’s total food imports in 2024. In monetary terms, our country spent an astonishing GHS 3 Billion on rice importation last year. Every grain of imported rice purchased is a vote of confidence in foreign farmers and foreign economies.
Consuming Ghana Rice is a patriotic investment in the future of our food systems. It is the most direct way for every Ghanaian citizen, household, restaurant, hotel, and company to keep billions of Cedis circulating within the Ghanaian economy. It can also help ensure a stable currency and create more jobs for women and youth. It will additionally build our national resilience against global food price shocks and supply chain disruptions. We urge every Ghanaian to walk into the market or supermarket today and actively seek out Ghana Rice brands and purchase for the good of our dear Mother Ghana.
Signed
Eat Ghana Rice Campaign Partners (John A. Kufuor Foundation, Competitive African Rice Platform (CARP) of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO), Ghana Rice Interprofessional Body (GRIB), Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Hopeline Institute, Farm Wallet, and AGRA.
For media interviews, please call Dr. Nana Ama Aning Oppong – Duah of the Eat Ghana Rice Campaign on 0260600636.
Source: dailyagricnews.com
