Coronavirus: Transport of food items to restricted areas allowed – Agric Minister

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has debunked assertions that food items cannot been transported from the bread basket zones to areas that have been restricted as part of moves to deal with the coronavirus outbreak in Ghana.

He explained that the restriction is on human movement and not food items.

“It is not true that food items cannot be transported to the restricted areas,” he said at a press conference in Accra on Monday March 30.

Dr Afriyie Akoto, further said there is no need to rush to the markets to purchase food items in bulk for the period of the partial lockdown of Accra, Kumasi, Tema and Kasoa over the coronavirus outbreak.

He said there is enough of food to feed Ghanaians for months, adding that the markets opened for businesses throughout the lockdown.

There was mad rush for food, provisions and gas on Saturday following President Nana Akufo-Addo’s announcement of a partial lockdown of Greater Accra and Kumasi as part of measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

The president said markets were to ensure social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols.

“In any event, only persons involved in the food value chain can operate in the markets during this period” the President said.

Speaking at a press conference Dr Afriyie Akoto, said “This is not a war situation, there is no need to stock up foods,” he said.

“I can bet you, in two weeks the prices will come down. I am appealing to everybody to be calm because there is no food shortage.”

He added : “Don’t waste your money on unnecessary stock ups of foods, the foods are here in abundance for you every day. It is when you rush that the market women will also increase the prices.”