Burkina Faso Tomato Export Ban Could Be an Economic Opportunity for Ghana – Dr. Johnson Asiama

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Asiama, has described the recent tomato export ban imposed by Burkina Faso as more of an opportunity than a crisis for Ghana’s agricultural and economic sectors. His comments came amid growing concerns across West Africa about disruptions to tomato supply chains after Burkina Faso halted exports.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s “The Point of View” on Wednesday, March 25, Dr. Asiama said the move by Burkina Faso could create fresh job opportunities for Ghana’s unemployed youth and help to boost local tomato production, provided there is strong coordination among key national institutions.

According to the BoG Governor, Ghana has the necessary agricultural conditions and tomato varieties to scale up domestic production and reduce dependence on imported produce. He underscored that the Ghana Export‑Import Bank (GEXIM) has the financial capacity to support investment in tomato farming and processing, and that efforts should be focused on leveraging this potential.

“We have more than *500,000 young people looking for work to do. We have money with the Ghana EXIM Bank, and we have the varieties — what are we waiting for?” Dr. Asiama said. He noted that collaborative measures involving the Ministry of Agriculture, GEXIM, and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) are crucial to turn the situation into a net positive for Ghana’s economy.

Dr. Asiama’s remarks reflect broader concerns sparked by Burkina Faso’s ban, including how disruptions to traditional tomato import routes could affect prices and availability in Ghana. Tomatoes are a staple ingredient in Ghanaian households, and prior assessments have shown that Ghana currently imports a significant portion of its fresh tomatoes from neighbouring countries — particularly Burkina Faso — to satisfy domestic demand.

While the situation presents short‑term supply challenges, Dr. Asiama believes that strategic investment and increased local production capacity could eventually turn Ghana into a more self‑sufficient tomato-producing nation, with additional benefits for employment and economic growth.

Economists say that if Ghana leverages the current vacuum in tomato imports to upscale its agricultural investment, the country could see improvements in food security and rural livelihoods, reducing reliance on neighbouring countries’ outputs over time.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh