The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has said it is optimistic there will be no food shortages in Ghana this year, because of the work done through the Planting for Food and Jobs programme.
Pressure has been mounting on the government over the past few weeks to address the rising cost of food produce as a matter of urgency, as price rises bite less privileged members of Ghanaian society, especially women and children.
Speaking to Asaase News, a spokesman for the ministry, Bagbara Tanko, said the department is determined to increase food production as a way of tackling the situation.
“For us as a ministry, our focus is to increase yields, because if we don’t produce we are not going to have food to eat, meaning we are going to import.
“That is why even if you look at poultry and poultry products, efforts are being made to see how we can reduce imports.
“If you look at rice, a lot is being done to promote the local rice industry so that we can cut down the import of rice.
“So, our main focus on Planting for Food and Jobs is going all out this season. The rains are good and we are hoping that we are going to have some good yields,” Tanko said.