The Deputy Ranking Member on the Food and Agriculture Committee, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, has expressed reservations about the government’s plan to raise US$500 million (approximately GH₵8 billion) to support farmers affected by drought in northern Ghana.
Northern Ghana has experienced low rainfall over the past two months. In an attempt to support farmers in the area, the government, through the Ministry of Finance, has pledged to inject approximately GH₵8 billion to assist them.
Speaking on JoyNews‘ “AM Show” on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Mr. Jasaw noted that the government is likely to repeat the mistakes it made in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Member of Parliament for Wa East, the government lacks a clear implementation plan.
He said “When we have evidence that you injected GH₵3.2 billion, and this is where it has brought us, you are going to inject an additional GH₵8 billion. We have said that this is just another avenue to repeat what happened with the COVID-19 support from the global community”.
He criticized the government’s decision to ban the export of grains such as maize, soybeans, and rice. This follows the announcement by Agric Minister Bryan Acheampong on Monday, August 27, 2024, that the government is placing a ban on the export of grains to neighboring countries.
Dr. Jasaw argued that, “What is the implication of these policy measures on our food security situation? We are importing tomatoes and onions from neighboring countries, and there is the same drought happening in those countries as well. Just imagine the situation where they decide to also ban the exportation of foodstuffs,” he emphasized.