The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced the government’s plans to introduce an import quota policy designed to boost local rice production and reduce reliance on imports. He explained that the policy will require rice importers to demonstrate verifiable engagement with local producers before being granted import permits. This approach effectively links the ability to import rice to support for domestic production.
Mr. Opoku made the announcement at the West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable held in Accra on Tuesday, June 2. He stated that the initiative aims to redirect value within the rice import trade towards strengthening Ghana’s agricultural production capacity, improving farmer incomes, and attracting investment into the local rice value chain.
He emphasised that the policy is not intended to impose bans or raise tariffs; rather, it seeks to ensure that import activities contribute directly to the growth of local production.
“The government will implement an import quota policy that directly links the privilege of importing rice to the growth of domestic production. Under this policy, rice importers will be required to demonstrate verifiable procurement of and partnership with Ghanaian rice production before import permits are approved,” he said.
“We are not raising tariffs that punish consumers. We are not imposing bans that create shortages. We are redirecting the existing value in the rice trade towards building our own productive capacity,” he added.
Source: Juliana Odame Asare
