Ghana is facing a steady increase in food prices, particularly in urban areas, due to a combination of factors. Policies like “Planting for Food and Jobs” initially showed promise, especially in 2018 and 2019, when farmers enjoyed bumper harvests that even attracted buyers from neighboring countries. However, challenges like poor transportation networks, the influence of middlemen, and inadequate storage facilities have reversed these gains.
Farmers, especially in areas like Tease in the Afram Plains, are forced to sell their produce at low prices because of high transportation costs and the perishable nature of crops like yam. Middlemen exploit this, buying cheaply and reselling at significantly higher prices in urban centers. For instance, 110 tubers of yam sold for GH¢800–GH¢1,800 at the farm gate can fetch GH¢2,500–GH¢3,500 in Accra.
Efforts like the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) aim to help farmers secure fair prices, but awareness remains low. Additionally, a ministerial committee set up to address rising food prices in 2022 has yet to produce significant results. Farmers are calling for improved roads, storage facilities, and better marketing systems to ease their burden and ensure food sufficiency.
