In Ghana, an escalating food price dilemma underscores the challenges in fulfilling the NPP government's vision of shifting from taxation to production, which has left a significant portion of the populace facing food scarcity. The situation has been exacerbated by issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and ineffective utilization of public resources, propelling a continuous increase in the cost of essential food items. The country is now confronting a critical food crisis, endangering national food security and pushing vulnerable groups towards hunger, notwithstanding the agricultural advancements claimed by the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative.
Food inflation has reached alarming heights, with rates hitting 61% in 2023 and 29.6% in 2024, making staples like vegetables, rice, plantain, and cassava increasingly inaccessible for many. A significant factor in this surge is the heavy dependence on imported food commodities, including over $400 million worth of tomatoes annually from Burkina Faso. This reliance is compounded by a decline in local production, attributed to the high costs and scarcity of essential inputs, alongside challenges such as inadequate mechanization and lack of agricultural credit.
The depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi has further intensified the issue, as imports become costlier, contributing to the rise in local food prices. The crisis is rooted in the government's inability to enforce effective agricultural policies and leadership, particularly with the PFJ initiative facing criticism for mismanagement and corruption, thereby casting doubt on the government's dedication to mitigating the food crisis. Despite significant investment in the program, farmers still encounter obstacles including access to quality inputs, extension services, and market linkages, highlighting the complexities of addressing food inflation and security in Ghana.
Source: peacefmonline.com