Government bans distribution of subsidised fertilisers to certain parts of the North

The government has banned the distribution of subsidised fertilisers to certain “notorious districts” in northern Ghana.

The move is to check the increasing cases of smuggling of farming inputs into the country's neighboring countries.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has identified farming communities in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions including Saboba and its environs as endemic areas for smuggling of fertilisers. This the ministry believes will help reduce the threat to Government's flagship Planting for Food and Jobs Campaign.

Additionally, the size of all types of subsidised fertilisers have been reduced from 50 kilograms to 25 kilograms pack to stump out the illicit practice.

Also, Regional Coordinating Councils have been tasked to meet strict requirements in the distribution of the supplies.

Addressing reporters at the Ministry of Information, Sector Minister Dr. Akoto said “We’ve ban fertiliser supplies to certain notorious districts in the northern region, upper east, upper west including Saboboa and all those areas; we don’t take fertilisers there anymore. We’ve reduced the size of the bags from 50 kilograms to 25 kilograms.

“So, we’ve made it difficult for the smugglers, and the robbers. There are all kinds of measures - all movement of fertilisers will have to report to the Regional Coordinating Councils before they go to the District Chief Executives where the farmers are...”

Continuing, the Agric Minister said “all these have slowed down the smuggling of the fertiliser; for me it is no more an issue. Of course, the leadership aspect is also important.”