The Government has announced plans to enter high-level negotiations with Burkinabe authorities following a sudden directive from Burkina Faso to suspend all fresh tomato exports.
The ban, which took effect on March 16, 2026, has sparked concerns across Ghana’s agricultural and retail sectors, as many local traders rely heavily on imports from the neighboring country to meet domestic demand during specific seasons.
In a statement issued on March 20, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry confirmed that it is mobilizing state institutions to engage their counterparts in Burkina Faso.
The primary goal of these talks is to address the root causes of the suspension.
The government aims to negotiate a resolution that protects the interests of both nations, as well as establish a sustainable framework for future agricultural trade.
”The engagement will seek to address concerns surrounding the ban and chart a mutually beneficial way forward for both countries,” the Ministry’s Public Relations Unit stated.
While the government works on a diplomatic fix, the Ministry is also using this disruption as a catalyst to reinforce Ghana’s internal food security.
Officials reiterated their commitment to the “Feed Ghana” and “Feed the Industry” initiatives.
These programs are designed to provide local farmers with the resources needed to scale up production, eventually reducing the nation’s reliance on imported produce.
The Ministry has issued a strong appeal to tomato traders and market queens to remain calm and avoid panic-buying or arbitrary price hikes.
The government insists that efforts are well underway to secure an “amicable resolution” that will stabilize the market.
By 1960news.com
