By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has hinted that the John Mahama-led government is in the process of introducing a rice import quota policy to strengthen the domestic rice industry.
According to the minister, the new policy is aimed at boosting local rice production and reducing reliance on imports.
Mr. Opoku announced the government’s policy at the West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable held in Accra on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture explained that the policy will require rice importers to demonstrate verifiable engagement with local producers before being granted import permits, effectively linking import privileges to support for domestic production.
According to him, the initiative is intended to redirect value within the rice import trade towards strengthening Ghana’s agricultural production capacity, improving farmers’ incomes, and attracting investment into the local rice value chain.
Mr. Opoku cautioned that the policy is not aimed at imposing bans or raising tariffs but rather at ensuring that import activity contributes directly to the growth of local production.
“The government will implement an import quota policy that directly links the privilege of importing rice to the growth of domestic production.
“Under this policy, rice importers will be required to demonstrate verifiable procurement from, and partnerships with, Ghanaian rice producers before import permits are approved,” the Minister for Food and Agriculture reiterated.
“We are not raising tariffs that punish consumers. We are not imposing bans that create shortages. We are redirecting the existing value in the rice trade towards building our own productive capacity,” he added.
