The Chairman and Chief Executive of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana, Anthony Kofituo Morrison, has criticised the government’s decision to ban the exportation of grain.
He described the ban as a “knee-jerk reaction” arguing that it was unnecessary.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story, Mr. Morrison argued that the available data on grains does not justify the ban.
“We at the Chamber find the ban a bit unnecessary. We think it is a knee-jerk reaction from the government. If you look at the data the government is presenting, we are importing 300,000 metric tonnes of maize and 150,000 metric tonnes of rice.
“Our national consumption for maize is around 3.2 million metric tonnes, with a deficit of about 900,000 metric tonnes. For rice, the consumption is around 1.92 million metric tonnes, with a deficit of nearly 1 million metric tonnes,” he explained.
This follows the announcement of an immediate ban on the export of key grains, including maize, rice, and soybean in response to the ongoing dry spell that has devastated agricultural production in eight regions.
According to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, this measure will ensure food security within the country.
But Mr. Morrison noted that the current dry spell is indeed a national security issue.
He pointed out that many warehouses near the northern borders are hoarding grains, and he believes this is an opportunity for the government to engage with grain traders to mop up grain out of the system.
