Mr. Sammy Darkwa has questioned the government’s proposed policy requiring rice importers to purchase 50 per cent of their supplies from local producers before importing, warning that the move could increase rice prices and worsen the cost of living if domestic production remains inadequate.
Speaking on Plan B 104.5 FM’s Nkosuosɛm, hosted by Obidehyie Kofi Sekyi, Mr. Darkwa acknowledged the need to support local rice farmers and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported rice. However, he argued that government must first establish whether local producers have the capacity to meet a significant portion of national demand.
He warned that restricting imports without sufficient local supply could create shortages, push prices upwards and place additional financial pressure on consumers.
Mr. Darkwa also questioned the availability and accessibility of locally produced rice, observing that some Ghanaian brands are largely found in selected shops rather than being widely distributed across the country.
He cited Avnash, which previously operated a rice production facility in Tema and provided employment opportunities, as an example of the challenges facing the local rice industry. He called for clarity on the company’s production activities and urged government to address the difficulties confronting local producers before introducing import restrictions.
He further questioned whether Ghanaian farmers and processors could produce enough rice to feed a population of more than 38 million, insisting that government must assess the country’s actual production capacity and identify existing supply gaps.
On product quality, Mr. Darkwa acknowledged the potential health benefits of locally produced rice but said concerns about cleanliness, processing, taste and packaging must be addressed to make it competitive with imported brands.
He noted that some consumers have complained about foreign materials in locally produced rice, stressing the need for improved cleaning processes, quality control and attractive packaging.
Beyond production and quality, he raised concerns about how the proposed 50 per cent requirement would be enforced, questioning the mechanisms authorities would use to verify importers’ purchases of local rice before granting import clearance.
He also expressed concern about the potential disadvantage to small-scale importers, arguing that a uniform requirement could place smaller businesses under financial pressure because of their limited capacity to purchase large quantities.
Mr. Darkwa cautioned that the policy could also create opportunities for corruption, favouritism and monopolistic practices if adequate safeguards were not introduced to ensure fair competition.
He therefore urged government to prioritise increasing domestic rice production, improving quality standards, strengthening distribution networks and maintaining affordability before implementing restrictions on imports.
He further challenged government to account for its commitment to achieving rice self-sufficiency by 2028, questioning the progress made so far and the concrete measures being implemented to reduce the country’s dependence on imported rice.
Mr. Darkwa maintained that although promoting locally produced rice is important, government must ensure that the policy is backed by sufficient production capacity and effective implementation to prevent unintended increases in the cost of living.
By: Raphael Narh Gatourhe
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