Ghana officials propose procurement reforms to prioritize local food sourcing

Ghanaian officials are pushing for legislative and behavioral shifts to prioritize domestic food procurement and consumption. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson has proposed amending public procurement rules to mandate that state institutions, particularly those managing school feeding programs, prioritize food sourced from Ghanaian farmers.

With the Free Senior High School and broader school feeding programs spending approximately GH¢5 billion annually, the government aims to use this purchasing power to support local producers of staples like rice, meat, and tomatoes. The proposal seeks to address the issue of farmers facing surpluses while schools continue to use imported alternatives.

In support of these efforts, Food and Agriculture Minister Dr. Eric Opoku has urged citizens to purchase locally produced chicken to bolster the poultry industry and reduce unemployment. Additionally, the government has indicated plans to stop the importation of tomatoes from Burkina Faso, focusing instead on supporting local farmers through the provision of irrigation equipment to enable year-round production.