Finance Minister plans new rice import rules to protect local farmers

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has announced plans to introduce a policy requiring rice importers to buy a portion of their intended import volumes from local farmers before they are granted permits.

However, under the proposed arrangement, an importer who wants to bring 100,000 metric tonnes of rice into Ghana may be required to show evidence of purchasing 50,000 metric tonnes from local farmers before receiving approval to import.

Speaking at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Monday, November 10, 2026, Dr Forson said the policy is aimed at creating a reliable market for locally produced rice and reducing the country's dependence on imports.

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He said the government could no longer allow local rice farmers to struggle to sell their produce while public institutions continued to spend large amounts of money on food purchases.

Dr Forson explained that the government spends between GH¢4.5 billion and GH¢5 billion annually on the Free Senior High School programme, with about GH¢3.5 billion going into feeding students.

“Why should our farmers complain of lack of wages? Why?” he asked, arguing that the money spent on feeding students should also support local farmers.

He added that the government would introduce direct procurement rules to ensure that locally produced rice is used to feed students in public schools.

"My money, as I'm collecting on behalf of the people of Ghana, if you want Ghana's money to buy your rice, that rice must be Ghana's rice,” he said.

According to the finance minister, the policy would benefit both students and farmers by ensuring that public spending supports local food production.

He also called for measures to control the high volume of rice imports, insisting that importers should support local production before bringing large quantities of foreign rice into the country.

“If you want to bring rice into the country, no problem. But if you are to bring in, let's say, 100,000 metric tons of rice, you have to show evidence that you have bought from our farmers probably 50,000 metric tons of rice before we give you the amendment to bring those rice into the country,” he stated.

Dr Forson said similar measures had been used by other countries to help local farmers expand production, adding that the government would ensure the proposed rules were enforced.

He stressed that the measures would not remain mere announcements, warning that businesses that flout the new rules would face punishment.

“We are enacting that with all. And if you fail to do it or do something contrary, you will be punished,” he said.

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