The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has revealed that the government plans to lift the recently imposed ban on grain exports by November. This announcement is expected to provide relief to stakeholders in the agricultural and trade sectors, who have been adversely affected by the sudden halt in exports due to production challenges in northern Ghana.
The export ban, which was instituted last week, was a response to concerning reports of reduced grain yields in the northern regions. The decline in production resulted from an unusual dry spell that significantly impacted crop yields, raising fears about food security and potential increases in grain prices.
The government’s decision to enforce the export ban was aimed at safeguarding the nation’s food supply, prioritizing domestic needs before permitting any grain exports. This measure was deemed necessary to prevent potential shortages and stabilize the market.
In a recent interaction with journalists, Dr. Acheampong expressed confidence that the situation would improve by November, allowing for the export restrictions to be lifted. He underscored the importance of monitoring the situation closely to make well-informed decisions.
Dr. Acheampong assured the public that the government is actively monitoring weather patterns and agricultural outputs in the affected regions. He emphasized that these factors will be critical in determining the exact timing for lifting the export ban.
“We will monitor the situation closely,” Dr. Acheampong stated. “We believe that by November, with the northern harvest coming in, the southern sector’s output, and the imports, we should have a clearer picture. We will continue to assess and update accordingly.”
