President John Dramani Mahama has directed the School Feeding Programme to source key food items locally.

Speaking at the 41st National Farmers Day celebration in Ho on Friday, December 5, 2025, he described as unacceptable the continued importation of rice from Vietnam while local farmers have large quantities of unsold produce.

“It is unacceptable that suppliers of the School Feeding Programme buy rice from Vietnam to feed our school children when Ghanaian farmers are sitting with rice inventories from last year. That is why I have issued a directive that for rice, maize, and poultry, we must ensure that at least these three products used in the School Feeding Programme are procured locally from our farmers,” he said.

LIVESTREAMED: Ghana celebrates 41st National Farmers Day in Ho

His comments come amid growing concerns over Ghana’s grain sector, which is currently facing a severe crisis.

More than 100,000 metric tonnes of maize and rice from the 2024 harvest remain unsold, leaving farmers trapped in debt and threatening the survival of local processors.

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has warned that cheap imports and rampant smuggling of substandard grains have forced many farmers to sell below production cost.

Farmers Day: Meet the 3 women who have ever been crowned Overall Best Farmer



JKB/MA