We’re not producing enough – Dr. Charles Nyaaba warns of looming food crisis

Dr. Charles Nyaaba, former Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), has expressed concern over Ghana’s food production, warning of a looming food crisis.

Speaking on Morning Starr with Lantam Papanko, Dr. Nyaaba emphasized that Ghana’s food production is woefully inadequate, stating, “We’re not producing enough.”

Dr. Nyaaba criticized the government’s recent decision to ban the export of certain commodities without proper analysis and consultation with stakeholders. He argued that such a move could lead to farmers selling their produce at a loss, ultimately affecting production in the long run.

“The fact is that, at the moment, Ghana is not exporting anything. We don’t have anything to export. What we are going to produce, what we are going to harvest now, is where our expectations are,” Dr. Nyaaba said.

He urged the government to engage in broader consultation with farmers and other stakeholders to find a solution to the food crisis, saying, “We think that government has rushed in taking that decision. They should have actually taken time to do proper analysis, do proper consultation of the victims and the beneficiaries.”

Dr. Nyaaba also highlighted the need for the government to provide guarantees to farmers to ensure they don’t sell their produce at a loss, emphasizing that farmers need to be supported to continue producing.

The food crisis in Ghana has been exacerbated by factors such as climate change, limited access to credit and markets, and inadequate government support. Dr. Nyaaba’s warning comes as the country struggles to meet its food needs, with many Ghanaians relying on imports to supplement local production.