Minority in Parliament, has contended that the border closure in Niger due to the military coup has highlighted the government’s significant shortcomings in its Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) policy.
Ghanaian onion traders stranded at the Benin border have urgently called on President Akufo-Addo to step in and facilitate the release of approximately 70 trucks carrying onions from Niger to Ghana via Benin.
The closure of the border as a result of the Niger coup has left these trucks and drivers immobilized at the border for several weeks.
The Ranking Member on the Food and Agriculture Committee of Parliament, Eric Opoku, responded to the situation by criticizing the government’s decision to import vegetables that were intended to be produced under the Planting for Food and Jobs program.
Opoku noted, “We are clearly unable to meet the local demand for onions in Ghana. Consequently, we heavily rely on onion imports from Niger, spending over $100 million annually. The coup in Niger and the subsequent border closure are significantly impacting traders.”
He continued, “I’ve previously stated that the Planting for Food and Jobs program has been a glaring failure. Despite substantial investment, the outcomes are negligible. Items designated under the program are still being imported in large quantities.”
Political turmoil in Niger has led to substantial price hikes in vegetables, with vegetable bags now priced between GH¢1,500 and GH¢1,600.
Industry stakeholders have expressed concerns that prices could surge to GH¢3,000-GH¢4,000 if the situation is not promptly addressed.