Rice importation into Ghana must seize: Monarh appeals to gov’t

07-01-14

PNC Gen Sec, Mr Bernard Monarh

The General Secretary of the People’s National Convention, Bernard Monarh has challenged government to place a permanently ban on the importation of rice into the country since the practice thwarts the effort of our local rice producers.  Recounting the ordeal local rice farmers go through in their quest to sell out their produce, Mr Monarh advised government to consider investing in the country’s local rice industry to salvage it from total collapse. For more than a decade, Ghana’s local rice industry is said to supply only 30 percent of its local demand, depending largely on foreign producers. This Mr Monarh rebuked was not the best, as the country loses a whooping US$480m annually on rice importation. Speaking to Radio Ghana in Bolgatanga, Mr Monarh kicked against the lifting of ban on the importation of rice as half of the said amount could be used to support our local farmers. He however aurged government focus its attention on the country’s rice growing areas and assist the farmers in producing enough to feed the country. He said the northern part of the country particularly Upper East abounds in vast, rich and productive farmlands that ought to be tapped to produce the quantity of rice and other cereals the country needs. He said if government is able to support majority of the people especially youth in rice farming, food security as well as job creation will improve for the better. Government, he recommended should made available the right inputs and machinery for the farmers to operate in order to ensure all year round farming.

GBC                                                              END                                                       IA/