Don’t rely on Burkina Faso for food, private lawyer warns amid tomato ban debate

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has voiced strong opposition to Ghana’s reliance on neighbouring countries for staple food items, arguing that the nation’s food security cannot be left in the hands of others.

His comments come amid ongoing discussions surrounding the recent ban on tomato imports, a policy aimed at boosting local production but which has sparked debate over potential supply gaps and price hikes.

Speaking on the matter, Mr. Kpebu emphasised the vulnerability of depending on a country like Burkina Faso—a dry, landlocked nation—to feed Ghanaians.

“We can’t continue to be fed by dry land Burkina Faso,” he stated, underscoring the need for Ghana to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, particularly for essential commodities like tomatoes.

The lawyer’s remarks add to the broader national conversation on agricultural independence, with proponents of the ban arguing that it will ultimately strengthen local farmers and reduce the country’s exposure to external supply chain shocks.

The government has maintained that the import restrictions are necessary to protect the domestic agricultural sector and encourage local cultivation.