John Dramani Mahama has directed that the procurement and supply of rice for schools across Ghana be centralised under the National Food Buffer Stock Company in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s agricultural sector and increasing the consumption of locally produced food. The directive seeks to ensure that rice served in schools nationwide is sourced from Ghanaian farmers rather than imported alternatives, reinforcing government efforts to support domestic production and retain economic value within the local economy.
The new policy comes after concerns were raised that several schools continued to procure imported rice despite earlier government directives encouraging the purchase of locally produced food items. Officials believe the continued reliance on imports undermines national efforts to strengthen Ghana’s agricultural value chain and limits the market available to local rice farmers. By assigning procurement responsibilities to the Buffer Stock Company, the government intends to streamline supply channels and guarantee that schools consistently receive Ghana-grown rice.
Under the directive, the National Food Buffer Stock Company will now be responsible for the aggregation, procurement, storage and distribution of locally produced rice to schools across the country. The Ministry of Education has been tasked to work closely with the Ghana Education Service and other relevant institutions to coordinate the supply chain and ensure the timely delivery of rice to schools under the various feeding programmes.
The decision forms part of a broader strategy by the government to boost local agricultural production and improve market access for farmers. Ghanaian rice producers have often faced difficulties selling their produce due to competition from imported rice, which many institutions and consumers perceive as more readily available. Policymakers believe that guaranteeing a steady institutional market through school feeding programmes will help stabilise demand and encourage greater investment in local rice farming.
Government officials say the move will also help reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported staples. Ghana spends significant resources each year importing rice to meet domestic demand, even though local farmers continue to expand production in many regions of the country. By prioritising local rice for schools, the government hopes to redirect public procurement spending toward domestic producers and strengthen food self sufficiency.
The directive aligns with earlier policies announced as part of the country’s 2026 economic strategy, which emphasised the importance of supporting local agriculture and addressing surplus production challenges affecting farmers. During the presentation of the national budget, the Finance Ministry indicated that schools across Ghana would be required to prioritise locally produced food items such as rice, maize, chicken and eggs in their procurement processes.
Authorities say such policies not only support farmers but also help stabilise food prices and reduce post harvest losses. In recent years, farmers in several parts of Ghana have experienced food gluts that resulted in unsold crops and falling prices. To address these challenges, the government has previously directed the Buffer Stock Company to purchase excess produce from farmers to protect their incomes and maintain stable market conditions.
The National Food Buffer Stock Company, established by the government in 2010, plays a key role in managing Ghana’s strategic food reserves. The agency purchases produce such as maize, rice and soya beans from farmers, stores them and distributes them to public institutions including schools, hospitals and prisons. The system is designed to stabilise food prices, prevent post harvest losses and ensure national food security during shortages.
By centralising the procurement of rice for schools, the government expects to create a reliable and predictable market for Ghanaian rice farmers while ensuring quality and consistency in school feeding programmes. Education officials say the policy could also improve supply coordination and reduce procurement irregularities that sometimes occur when individual schools source food independently.
Agricultural stakeholders have welcomed the directive, noting that guaranteed institutional demand could encourage farmers to expand production and invest more in modern farming techniques. Economists also argue that prioritising locally produced food within public institutions can strengthen domestic value chains, create employment opportunities in agriculture and logistics, and reduce the country’s food import bill.
The government has asked the Ministry of Education to treat the implementation of the directive as urgent and to keep the Office of the President informed about the systems put in place to ensure effective distribution and compliance nationwide. The success of the policy will largely depend on how efficiently the Buffer Stock Company can procure, store and distribute locally produced rice to schools across the country without disruptions.
As Ghana continues to pursue agricultural transformation and food security goals, the centralised procurement policy represents another attempt to align public sector spending with national production priorities. If effectively implemented, the initiative could significantly boost demand for locally grown rice and strengthen the livelihoods of farmers across the country.