Ghana needs GH¢1.5 billion to restore food reserve system - Buffer Stock CEO

The Chief Executive Officer of National Food Buffer Stock Company, George Abradu-Otoo, has noted that Ghana needs at least GH¢1.5 billion to build a meaningful national food reserve system, far above the GH¢300 million currently available.

His comments come as concerns grow over food security, post-harvest losses and the need for government interventions to stabilise grain markets and support farmers during bumper harvests.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews on Thursday, June 18, 2026, he said the money given for a larger-scale purchase of surplus grains from farmers is insufficient.

“Last year, Minister of Finance Ato Forson announced that they were giving us further GH¢200 million to continue the good work that we were doing, so in other words, so far we had only GH¢300 million,” Abradu-Otoo said.

He explained further funding from the ministry has helped the company to begin building reserves which lucks the real impact required.

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“If we need to do proper meaningful mopping up of excess grains, we need no less than GH¢1.5 billion, so you can imagine what ¢300 million has done,” he stated.

Abradu-Otoo also noted that government's decision to prioritise establishing food reserves marks a significant policy shift.

“It’s a good beginning for the government to even think in the first place that we need to have a national food reserve,” he stated.

According to him, Ghana has lagged behind its neighbors in setting up strategic food reserves despite being a major agricultural producer.

“Because if you take the West African sub-region, Ghana is the only country that did not have a food reserve, can you believe that?” he said.

“Interestingly, we can also have Mali, have a national food reserve,” he added.

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