TEMA, Ghana, 21 March: The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Abraham Koomson, has expressed concern over Ghana’s growing dependence on neighbouring countries for essential food commodities such as tomatoes, onions, and peppers.
He questioned why a country with vast arable land and favourable climatic conditions continues to rely on imports, particularly from Burkina Faso, to meet its food needs.
According to Mr. Koomson, Ghana has the capacity to produce enough tomatoes locally and should not be in a position where traders risk their lives crossing borders to import basic agricultural produce.
His comments follow a recent directive by Burkina Faso to suspend all exports of fresh tomatoes with immediate effect. The move, announced in a joint communiqué dated March 16, 2026, is part of efforts by the country’s military-led government to safeguard domestic tomato processing industries from raw material shortages.
The directive was jointly signed by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Artisanat, Serge Gnaniodem Poda, and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Water, Animal and Fisheries Resources, Ismaël Sombie.
Authorities in Burkina Faso warned that any breach of the export ban would attract sanctions under existing laws. Seized goods, according to the directive, will be confiscated and handed over free of charge to local tomato processing factories operating under the country’s shareholding policy.
The ban is expected to have ripple effects across the sub-region, particularly in Ghana, which maintains strong agricultural trade ties with Burkina Faso.
Northern Ghana, which heavily depends on cross-border supply of fresh produce, could face shortages and rising market prices as a result of the restriction.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu programme on Saturday, March 21, Mr. Koomson described the situation as worrying and unacceptable.
He stressed the need for Ghana to prioritise local food production and reduce its dependence on imports, urging citizens to revive the culture of backyard farming as a practical step toward food security.
Mr. Koomson argued that encouraging household and community-level farming could help cushion the country against external shocks and ensure a steady supply of essential food items.
LISTEN TO ABRAHAM KOOMSON IN THE AUDIO BELOW:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭