'You are always interested in negativity' - Agric Minister slams critics of food inflation

Minister of Agriculture Eric Opoku has defended the government’s record on food inflation, insisting that critics are being unfair despite what he describes as significant progress in reducing the rate.

Responding to concerns about food inflation, he recalled that when the current administration assumed office, food inflation stood at 28.3 percent. Within just over a year, he said, the figure had been brought down to 2.7 percent.

“You asked about food inflation. First and foremost, it appears you are always interested in negativity. When we assumed office in January, food inflation was 28.3 percent,” he asserted.

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Speaking to the media in a video shared by Joy News on June 20, 2026, he explained that seasonal factors, particularly Ghana’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture, naturally cause fluctuations in food prices.

“When food inflation was 28.3%, you did not cry. We have brought it down to below 3%, and now you’re questioning why it moved from 2.7% to 2.9%. You must understand the seasons and commend the government,” Opoku stated.

He further noted that favourable weather conditions and ongoing irrigation projects have helped stabilise food inflation, even during the lean season.

According to him, the current figures remain commendable compared to the situation the government inherited.

“And in the lean season, automatically, around this time of the year, because we are not doing a lot of irrigation production, food inflation will go up. But it is far, far better this year because the weather has been favourable. And we are also developing a lot of irrigation infrastructure across the country,” he noted.

The Minister urged the public to appreciate the progress made rather than focus on minor increases, stressing that the government’s interventions continue to keep food inflation at historically low levels.

He added, “So even though food inflation is going up, it is still less than 3 percent. Even when it was 28.3 per cent, you did not cry. We have brought it to less than 3 percent. And now you are questioning us. Why is it that it was 2.7 and is now 2.9? You must understand the seasons.”

VKB/BAI

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