Ghana launches initiatives to achieve tomato self-sufficiency

Ghana is launching several initiatives to address tomato shortages and reduce its reliance on imports, which currently cost the nation over USD 400 million annually. The Ghana Tomato Self-Sufficiency Initiative (GHATSI), a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and FarmMate Ltd, is scheduled for launch on September 15, 2026. GHATSI aims to build an integrated, year-round domestic value chain through structured finance, crop insurance, and industrial processing. The initiative targets an eventual annual production of 400,000 tonnes, starting with an initial goal of 100,000 tonnes during the 2026/2027 cycle.

In the Ahafo Region, the Tano South Municipal Assembly is implementing the tomato component of the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) project. This multi-stakeholder program focuses on commodities where Ghana is heavily import-dependent, including rice, soybean, poultry, and tomatoes. The project seeks to reduce youth unemployment by creating work opportunities, with a specific focus on women and persons with disabilities. To support local farmers, the assembly has also distributed fertilizer and tomato and onion seeds as part of the Feed Ghana Programme.