Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has unveiled a strategy to reduce the cost of living in Ghana by enhancing food security.
Addressing supporters at the party’s manifesto launch before the December 2024 elections, Bawumia detailed a comprehensive plan to stabilize the prices of locally produced foods, focusing on staple crops, meat, poultry, and fish.
Support from the Development Bank of Ghana (DBG) and the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) will be central to this initiative.
These institutions will provide financing and guarantees to boost the production of staple foods and invest in the preservation of key food items.
Bawumia emphasized, “We are committed to making food affordable for all Ghanaians by increasing local production and reducing reliance on imports.
Our approach will focus on the quantity and quality of food produced domestically.”
He outlined plans to expand local farming operations to ensure a steady supply of essential items such as maize, rice, cassava, and yams.
By increasing the output of these staple foods, the NPP aims to lower market prices and reduce the country’s food import expenses.
In addition to enhancing production, the NPP plans to invest in advanced preservation techniques for staple foods and animal products.
This includes improving storage facilities, processing infrastructure, and cold chain logistics to minimize post-harvest losses and maintain steady food supplies throughout the year.
Bawumia noted that the program would particularly benefit rural farmers, who often need help finding markets for their produce due to inadequate storage and preservation facilities.
He reiterated the NPP’s commitment to creating a more resilient and self-sufficient agricultural sector, providing affordable and nutritious food, creating jobs, and supporting rural economies.
