The Association of Rice Producers and Processors has temporarily suspended its planned nationwide demonstrations and intended boycott of the 2025 Farmers’ Day celebrations.
This follows what it describes as “positive signs” from the government toward resolving the challenges confronting Ghana’s rice and maize industry.
Alhaji Saibu Braimah, Chairman of the Association said its decision follows extensive engagements with state authorities after it petitioned government on November 18, 2025, demanding decisive action to protect local farmers.
Their petition had called for a six-month suspension of all foreign rice imports, strengthened border controls to curb smuggling, the establishment of a long-term importation policy aligned with local production capacity, and a directive compelling all state institutions to procure Ghana-grown rice and maize.
He urged government to release funds to the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to purchase surplus produce, and to set a guaranteed minimum price for rice and maize to stabilise the domestic market.
The group had earlier warned that failure to address these issues would trigger nationwide protests beginning in Tamale and extending through the Central and Volta Regions, ending with a mass picketing at Jubilee House in Accra, as well as a boycott of Farmers’ Day.
However, the Association says the government has since announced measures to ease the crisis, including a presidential directive for all state institutions to procure local rice and maize, the release of funds to NAFCO to absorb excess produce, and provisions in the 2026 national budget to support the purchase of locally grown staples.
“In view of these positive developments, the chairman said the Association has resolved to temporarily suspend all planned protest actions while closely monitoring the implementation of the directives,” the statement said. The group added that its call for a boycott of Farmers’ Day has also been put on hold.
Despite the suspension, he stressed that “farmers remain in distress,” warning that although the harvest season is underway, buyers remain scarce and the risks of post-harvest losses are high. It urged government to move swiftly to fully implement the announced measures to prevent further financial hardship for farmers.
The association expressed appreciation to its members, allied farmer groups, and supporters who contributed resources toward the campaign, and extended gratitude to the President for what it described as “decisive steps” to respond to the concerns of farmers and millers.
He concluded by assuring that they will continue to engage government and will update its members as the situation evolves.
Northern Region: Grain farmers petition Mahama over glut, influx of cheap rice into the country
