Dr. Gideon Boako, a financial economist and Member of Parliament for Tano North, has urged the government to reconsider current agricultural export bans, arguing that lifting restrictions on surplus food produce could help reduce food gluts, stabilise prices, and safeguard farmer incomes across Ghana. His intervention comes amid growing concerns among smallholder farmers about declining farm-gate prices, limited market access, post-harvest losses, and broader challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Speaking to journalists, Dr. Boako echoed sentiments shared by several agricultural associations and analysts, emphasising that blanket bans on exports when local markets are oversupplied do more harm than good. The economist highlighted recurring episodes where domestic production consistently outstrips demand, leading to collapsing prices that make it difficult for farmers to cover production costs. Farmers, he said, need access to external markets so that surplus produce can be sold and reinvested into future planting seasons, rather than left to rot in fields and warehouses.
Food gluts, farmer incomes and market distortions
Food gluts occur when large volumes of agricultural produce flood the local market without matching consumer demand. Under such circumstances, farm-gate prices often plunge, eroding the earnings of farmers who have already invested heavily in seeds, fertilisers, labour and other inputs. Dr. Boako emphasised that when supply outpaces domestic demand, price collapse becomes inevitable unless alternative market channels, such as export opportunities, are permitted.
This challenge is not unique to Ghana. In recent years, other producer groups have raised similar concerns. For example, the Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana called for the lifting of soybean export bans to stabilise prices and restore farmer confidence, noting that prices had plummeted drastically due to oversupply and restricted market access.
Several reports have also drawn attention to grain gluts and unsold paddy rice and maize that remain stuck in warehouses and on farms, pointing to the risk that prolonged oversupply could discourage farmers and even lead some to abandon agricultural activities altogether if viable markets are unavailable.
Economic implications of export restrictions
The economic effects of restrictive export policies extend beyond individual farmers. Persistently low farm-gate prices reduce rural spending power, weaken credit repayment capacity for farm loans, and can disrupt the entire agricultural value chain, including input suppliers, transporters, processors and financial institutions that support rural economies. Dr. Boako argues that allowing surplus produce to enter foreign markets could help stabilise prices, prevent waste, and generate foreign exchange earnings that benefit the broader economy.
Analysts also note that export markets offer opportunities for diversifying agricultural revenue streams. When local markets cannot absorb excess production, international buyers may provide demand that elevates prices and encourages investment in production, processing and value addition. Access to export markets can also help Ghanaian producers participate more fully in regional and global trade, building resilience against domestic market volatility.
Government response and structural reforms
The issue of export restrictions has prompted responses from government officials. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has acknowledged the challenges posed by gluts and is pursuing structural reforms aimed at modernising the agricultural value chain. The minister outlined initiatives to bolster processing, marketing, distribution and export segments of agriculture so that excess production can be absorbed, value added locally and higher standards met for international trade.
Part of the government’s strategy includes establishing processing facilities, such as a poultry processing factory in Bechem, envisioned to support packaging, cold-chain management and compliance with both domestic and foreign market requirements. Similar plans for processing plants in other regions aim to reduce post-harvest losses and help position Ghanaian agricultural products for sub-regional export.
While these reforms signal a commitment to strengthening the sector, Dr. Boako and other critics argue that more immediate policy actions are needed, including easing export bans and facilitating market access without undue administrative barriers. They contend that such steps would provide short-term relief to farmers and complement longer-term structural investments.
Policy direction and sector outlook
As discussions continue around agricultural export policy in Ghana, stakeholders from farmers to government officials are calling for solutions that both sustain local food security and empower producers. Lifting export bans for surplus produce remains a central recommendation among many economists and agricultural advocates, with proponents emphasising that access to international markets could stabilise farm incomes, reduce waste, and promote rural economic development.
Ultimately, crafting balanced policies that support food affordability, rural livelihoods and trade competitiveness will be key to ensuring a resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.