Burkina Faso tomato ban: Time to boost local production- Dr Charles Nyaaba

The Chief Executive Officer of Akuafo Nketewa, Dr. Charles Nyaaba, has described Burkina Faso’s ban on fresh tomato exports as a positive development, urging Ghana to seize the opportunity to strengthen its local production.

Speaking to Winston Amoah on Joy FM’s SMS programme, Dr. Nyaaba noted that Ghana previously produced sufficient tomatoes without relying on imports from neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger, or Mali.

“In the past, Ghanaians were producing enough tomatoes in the country and the prices were cheaper. There is no difference between Burkina tomatoes and Navrongo tomatoes,” he said.

Dr. Nyaaba, a former Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, attributed the decline in domestic tomato production to the lack of processing factories to absorb farmers’ produce. He explained that many farmers became discouraged and abandoned tomato cultivation after suffering significant losses.

He reiterated that the current situation presents an opportunity for Ghana to revive the sector, reduce import dependency, and enhance national development.

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