A coalition of major farmer-based organisations in Ghana has temporarily suspended its planned nationwide demonstrations following the government’s announcement of measures aimed at addressing the ongoing challenges confronting the rice and maize sectors.
The decision was communicated in an updated statement issued on Tuesday, referencing an earlier press release dated 18th November 2025.
According to the Association, the latest development follows extensive consultations among stakeholders, after which a formal petition was submitted to the Government of Ghana.
The petition demanded decisive interventions, including a six-month suspension of all foreign rice imports and strengthened border control mechanisms to curb the smuggling of foreign rice and maize.
The groups also called for a comprehensive, long-term importation policy aligned with Ghana’s production capacity, and a directive compelling all public institutions—schools, health facilities, correctional centres, and security agencies—to procure only locally grown rice and maize.
Other key demands included the immediate release of funds to the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to purchase surplus produce, and the establishment of a guaranteed minimum price to protect farmers and stabilise the domestic market.
The Association earlier warned that failure to address these concerns would trigger a series of nationwide protests, beginning in Tamale and spreading to the Central and Volta Regions, ultimately culminating in a mass picket at the Jubilee House.
They also proposed a nationwide boycott of the 2025 Farmers’ Day celebration.
Following what the groups described as “sustained media engagements” and a “peaceful but massive demonstration” in Tamale, the government has responded with measures aimed at easing the crisis.
These include a presidential directive to all state institutions to buy locally produced rice and maize; the release of funds to NAFCO for the absorption of excess produce; and an allocation in the 2026 national budget dedicated to the purchase of locally produced staples. The Finance Minister publicly confirmed these commitments.
Reading the statement on behalf of farmers, Chairman Alhaji Saibu Braimah noted that in light of these positive steps, the Association has resolved to temporarily suspend all planned protests and put its call for a boycott of the 2025 Farmers’ Day celebration on hold.
However, he stressed that farmers remain under severe distress.
“The harvest is in, but still no buyers in sight,” the statement emphasised, calling for urgent action to relieve farmers’ financial pressure and avert large-scale post-harvest losses.
The coalition expressed profound appreciation to farmers, allied groups, and supporters for their financial, material, and organisational backing throughout the campaign.
They also extended gratitude to the President for what they described as the “decisive steps” taken so far.
The Associations reaffirmed their commitment to work closely with the government to ensure full implementation of the new measures and urged continued attention to unresolved challenges.
They pledged to keep monitoring the situation and advise members in due course.
The statement was jointly signed by: the Association of Rice Producers and Processors, Chamber of Agribusiness, Association of Soya Value Chain Actors, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF), General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Network for Commercial Agricultural Production in Ghana (NETCAP), CropLife Ghana, Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG), Traders and Market Women Associations, and the Association of Parboiled Rice Millers.
Source: a1radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
