The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, has framed the ongoing crisis in Burkina Faso not only as a regional challenge but also as a potential catalyst for economic opportunity, particularly within Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Speaking on recent developments on Channel One TV, Dr Asiama acknowledged the risks associated with instability in neighbouring Burkina Faso, including disruptions to trade, food supply chains and cross-border economic activity. However, he stressed that the situation could be turned into an opportunity to create jobs and boost domestic agricultural production.
According to the Governor, a small working group has already been established to develop practical responses to the situation.
“The risks posed by the Burkina Faso crisis to me are opportunities. We decided to set up a small group, and we’re going to work with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Ghana). We will work with Ghana Export-Import Bank and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority. The thing is, if Burkina Faso bans exports of tomatoes, why should it become a crisis in Ghana?
“We have five hundred thousand 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? GEXIM, we were going to give you a call. We are all going to descend and get these things solved,” Dr Asiama said.
Dr Asiama noted that Ghana has the capacity to step up production and fill potential gaps caused by trade disruptions. He highlighted that by investing in local agriculture, improving logistics and supporting farmers, the country could not only safeguard its food supply but also position itself as a stronger competitor in regional markets.
Meanwhile, the government has rolled out a series of interventions aimed at boosting tomato production, reducing post-harvest losses and expanding irrigation-supported farming to stabilise supply following Burkina Faso’s export ban.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, assured the public that the country would not face a tomato shortage despite the disruption in imports.
He explained that immediate measures include developing high-yield seed varieties, scaling up irrigation schemes and strengthening market linkages to reduce waste and ensure farmers have ready buyers for their produce.
A key element of the plan involves collaboration with the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement to produce improved tomato seeds capable of raising yields to at least 15 metric tonnes per hectare within a short period.
The Minister noted that Ghana’s reliance on tomato imports from Burkina Faso has exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s food system, underscoring the urgency of strengthening domestic production.
As developments in Burkina Faso continue to unfold, Ghana’s strategy may serve as a model for how neighbouring countries can navigate uncertainty—transforming regional instability into an opportunity for economic growth and resilience.
