Accra, March 21, GNA – Dr. Peter Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, has assured that government has already set in motion strategic investment measures to cushion Ghana against the impact of Burkina Faso’s decision to suspend tomato exports.
He said the country was not being taken by surprise, explaining that interventions to boost local tomato production had commenced prior to the export ban.
Dr. Otokunor noted that the measures formed part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s agricultural sector and reduce reliance on imports, particularly for key food commodities such as tomatoes.
His comments follow Burkina Faso’s decision to halt exports of fresh tomatoes in a bid to prioritise its local processing industry, a development expected to affect supply in Ghana.
Dr. Otokunor said government remained committed to expanding irrigation infrastructure, supporting agribusiness investments, and improving value chains to ensure steady domestic production.
He added that the situation presented an opportunity for Ghana to accelerate efforts towards self-sufficiency in tomato production.
Government, he said, would continue engagements with authorities in Burkina Faso while intensifying local production to stabilise the market.