Ghana is set to receive a $20 million grant to help prevent a major tomato shortage following Burkina Faso’s decision to halt exports of the commodity, a move that has disrupted supply chains and raised fears of rising prices across local markets.
The funding, secured by the World Bank from the Government of the Netherlands, is intended to stabilise supply in the short term while strengthening Ghana’s capacity to produce and store tomatoes locally over the long term.
Burkina Faso has long been a key supplier of tomatoes to Ghana. Its sudden export ban has therefore triggered anxiety among traders and consumers, especially given Ghana’s heavy reliance on imports to meet domestic demand.
Speaking at a World Bank–Civil Society Organisation engagement on food security in Accra, Agricultural Economist Dr. Ashwini Sebastian explained that the intervention will focus on improving the entire tomato value chain. This includes boosting local production, enhancing storage facilities, and making supply systems more efficient.
According to her, the grant is currently in the design phase, with officials from the Dutch embassy expected to collaborate closely on implementation.
“We have been able to leverage a small grant into a $20 million package for tomato interventions in Ghana from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” she said, adding that planning is underway to ensure the support has maximum impact.
Dr. Sebastian noted that consultations with local tomato traders and associations will play a key role in determining where projects should be located. Discussions are ongoing about clustering interventions in areas where they can deliver the greatest benefit.
The programme is expected to ease immediate pressure on markets while laying the groundwork for a more resilient domestic tomato industry one that is less vulnerable to external shocks and trade disruptions.
Ultimately, the initiative aims to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported tomatoes and strengthen national food security in the face of regional supply uncertainties.
