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 affected by the ongoing crop glut.
This move is part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce food wastage, boost national food security, and ensure surplus produce is preserved for future use.
Speaking at the launch of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Poultry Initiative in Kumasi, President Mahama explained that the previous GH₵100 million allocation to address the maize glut was insufficient, necessitating further intervention. The new allocation will enable the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to purchase excess maize, rice, and eggs from local farmers, preventing post-harvest losses and supporting agricultural markets.
The government has also announced measures to support local farmers affected by the rice and egg glut. NAFCO has been instructed to purchase local rice, while the Ghana School Feeding Programme will incorporate eggs into students’ meals. President Mahama emphasized his administration’s commitment to supporting farmers, stabilizing agricultural markets, and safeguarding the country’s food supply chain.
The crop glut has caused significant post-harvest losses and economic hardship across the agricultural sector. Ghana’s agricultural sector has seen a bumper harvest, with rice production increasing by 18% to 900,000 metric tonnes in the 2025/26 period. However, consumption has surged to 1.8 million metric tonnes, leaving a self-sufficiency ratio of around 50% .
President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting farmers, stating, “No Ghanaian farmer should suffer losses because they produced in abundance.” The government aims to promote local agriculture, reduce imports, and ensure food security for all Ghanaians .
