Ghana recently celebrated National Farmers’ Day under the theme, “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,” highlighting the importance of boosting local food production and achieving self-sufficiency.

The ‘Eat Ghana Rice Campaign’ strongly aligns with this year’s theme, advocating for increased consumption of locally grown rice. Rice has transitioned from a luxury to a staple food in Ghana, with domestic production rising impressively from 302,000 metric tonnes in 2010 to almost 987,000 metric tonnes in 2023, thanks to government support for seeds, mechanisation, and irrigation.

Despite this growth, Ghana still spends over GH₵ 3 billion annually on rice imports. This substantial amount, according to campaigners, could be reinvested in the local economy, supporting farmers, processors, and the entire value chain, ultimately creating jobs and strengthening rural communities.

The ‘Eat Ghana Rice Campaign’ aims to shift consumer behaviour, dispel misconceptions, and foster national pride in locally produced rice. Many Ghana Rice brands, including Mama Gold, Striker Gold, Efie Ne Fie, Nana’s Rice, Champion, Avalavi Perfume Rice, Copa, Star, Asafoods, Wofa K, and Alsum, now meet Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) standards, offering quality comparable to, or even exceeding, imported varieties.

Dr. Nana Ama Oppong–Duah, the Eat Ghana Rice Campaign lead, has made a special appeal to corporate entities and individuals to prioritize Ghana Rice, particularly during the upcoming festive season. “I humbly urge all to make Ghana Rice your family’s first choice, and to show leadership by purchasing Ghana Rice for your friends and workers,” she stated.

Choosing Ghana Rice is presented as a direct investment in the nation’s economy, ensuring that funds remain within the country to support local livelihoods. Furthermore, the campaign emphasizes the freshness and nutritional value of locally grown rice.

The campaign also calls on the government to actively promote local rice consumption, leveraging its procurement power through institutions like schools and prisons, as directed by President John Mahama. Additionally, it urges security agencies to clamp down on illegal rice imports to create a fairer competitive environment for Ghanaian farmers.

Dr. Oppong–Duah commended AGRA, The John A. Kufuor Foundation, FarmWallet, Hopeline Institute, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, and the Competitive African Rice Platform for their partnership in the ‘Eat Ghana Rice Campaign’, reiterating the call for collective effort to make Ghana Rice the preferred choice of consumers. “Ghana Rice – Our Grain, Our Pride.”

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE