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President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to release an additional GH₵200 million to purchase surplus maize from farmers struggling with the ongoing glut across the country.
The move forms part of the government’s broader strategy to curb food wastage, strengthen national food security, and preserve surplus produce for future use.
Speaking at the launch of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Poultry Initiative in Kumasi, President Mahama said the government had earlier released GH₵100 million to the National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to mop up excess maize, but the funds proved insufficient to clear the market.
“Our farmers are worried. There’s a glut on the market, so I asked the Finance Minister to provide GH₵100 million to the National Buffer Stock Company to buy up the surplus maize so that when there’s a shortage later in the year, it can be released,” he said.
“They have finished purchasing with the first GH₵100 million, but there’s still a lot of maize on the market and prices remain low.”
President Mahama explained that with prices continuing to fall and farmers unable to make profits, the government had decided to step in again.
“I’ve directed the Finance Minister to release an additional GH₵200 million to buy the remaining glut and store it for future use,” he announced.
The President said the same approach would be applied to other key crops, particularly rice, to prevent post-harvest losses.
“It is the same situation with rice. I’ve instructed the Buffer Stock Company to purchase the excess and keep it as well,” he stated.
As part of efforts to boost the poultry sector, President Mahama also revealed measures to support egg and poultry farmers.
“I have asked the managers of the School Feeding Programme to include eggs in student meals. This will create a stable local market for poultry products and support our farmers,” he added.
President Mahama reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting farmers, stabilising agricultural markets, and protecting the nation’s food supply chain, stressing that:
“No Ghanaian farmer should suffer losses simply because they produced in abundance.”
The new directive is expected to help stabilise farmgate prices, reduce wastage, and ensure that Ghana’s food reserves remain robust in the face of future supply shocks.
