Government proposes policy forcing public bodies to buy food from Ghanaian farmers
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson says new procurement rules will mandate state institutions to source food locally, aiming to boost farmer incomes and cut import reliance.
The Finance Minister has announced plans to amend Ghana’s public procurement regulations so that all government agencies must purchase food exclusively from local farmers. This policy shift seeks to harness the state’s large buying power to create a stable market for Ghanaian agricultural produce, improve farmer livelihoods and generate more rural employment. Dr Forson highlighted that feeding costs make up nearly half of the government’s annual free secondary education budget, yet local farmers continue to struggle with oversupply and weak demand. He argued that requiring public institutions to buy from domestic suppliers would prevent the need to spend foreign currency on imported food while supporting Ghanaian agriculture. The proposal comes at a time when many farmers across the country frequently voice concerns about produce glut and limited market access. If adopted, the new rule would direct a significant portion of public food spending into the local farming sector, potentially stabilising prices and encouraging greater investment in agro-processing. No specific implementation timeline has been set, but the government will need to engage stakeholders to refine the policy details and ensure smooth rollout across all state-owned entities.
