Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, has urged the government to put measures in place for the sustainable production of local tomatoes in the country, describing Burkina Faso’s recent export ban as a wake-up call for Ghana’s agricultural sector.

Speaking at the Ghana Export-Import Bank’s 10th anniversary international conference in Accra on Wednesday, March 25, Dr. Asiama said Ghana has the capacity to produce its own supply and should act decisively.

“If Burkina Faso bans exports of tomatoes, why should it become a crisis in Ghana? We have the capacity here,” he said, noting that officials from the Ministry of Agriculture have already been engaged in discussions to address the issue.

Dr. Asiama highlighted that several regions in Ghana can grow the same tomato varieties. With over 500,000 young people seeking employment and adequate seeds and inputs available, he stressed the importance of acting quickly.

Onions, for example, mature in just three to four months, presenting immediate opportunities for local production.

He also addressed the role of financing in scaling up domestic production. While commercial banks dominate the sector due to larger balance sheets, EXIM Bank requires a broader base of resources to support local farmers effectively.

On the consumer side, Dr. Asiama acknowledged that Burkina tomatoes are preferred in markets because they last longer and have less water, which is ideal for processing.

However, he suggested that local tomatoes can also be processed and preserved using modern machinery, ensuring urban consumers have access to fresh domestic produce even when imports are unavailable.

“Such interventions may not solve the problem entirely, but they can mitigate it,” he said. “By keeping local varieties fresh and expanding cultivation in suitable areas, we can gradually reduce reliance on imports and strengthen Ghana’s food security.”