Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has proposed a policy that would require rice importers to purchase locally grown rice equivalent to 50 per cent of their intended import volumes before being granted import permits.
Under the proposed arrangement, an importer seeking to bring 100,000 metric tonnes of rice into the country would first have to purchase 50,000 metric tonnes from Ghanaian farmers as a condition for securing an import permit.
Dr Ato Forson announced the proposal during an engagement with students and staff of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, where he discussed the government’s US$13 billion New Economy Programme.
He explained that the policy is intended to create a reliable market for local rice farmers, reduce the country’s dependence on imported rice and encourage increased domestic production.
The Finance Minister also called for stricter local procurement requirements for state-funded institutions, particularly under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme. He said public institutions should prioritise locally produced rice in their food purchases.
Dr Forson questioned why Ghanaian rice farmers continue to struggle to find markets when the government spends between GH¢4.5 billion and GH¢5 billion annually on the Free SHS programme, with approximately GH¢3.5 billion going towards feeding students.
He further raised concerns about the textile industry, questioning why the government continues to source uniforms for the military and police from foreign suppliers while local companies such as Juapong Textiles and Akosombo Textiles struggle to remain operational.
According to him, the government plans to introduce legislation to support these local procurement and trade measures, with sanctions for individuals and public institutions that fail to comply.
The proposed measures form part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen local industries, support domestic producers and retain more economic activity within the country.
