Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, has welcomed the decision by the Burkina Faso government to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes.
The Ministry says the development will boost supply and ensure market stability. The Burkinabe government issued a suspension on the supply of fresh tomatoes to Ghana, few weeks after some Ghanaian traders were attacked on their way to the West African neighbours to import tomatoes.
However, a statement issued by the Trade Ministry says the lifting of the suspension follows improvements in tomato supply to local processing factories in Burkina Faso, as well as commitments by stakeholders to prioritise domestic industrial needs.
Government says the decision reflects ongoing bilateral engagements between the two countries.
The statement further highlighted discussions led by the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and her Burkinabe counterparts on the sidelines of the WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, which contributed to the resolution.
It is expected that the countries continue their engagements to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment, with sustained engagement between both governments and key stakeholders in the tomato value chain.
Meanwhile, the government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local production through initiatives such as Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana, alongside investments in irrigation, large-scale cultivation, and support for processors to ensure a stable and sustainable supply of tomatoes in the long term.
Below is the full statement issued by the Ministry:
MINISTRY OF TRADE, AGRIBUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOVERNMENT WELCOMES BURKINA FASO’S DECISION TO LIFT SUSPENSION ON FRESH TOMATO EXPORTS
The Government of Ghana has taken note of the decision by the Government of Burkina Faso to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes.
The decision, communicated through a Joint Communiqué issued by the relevant Burkinabe authorities, follows improvements in the supply situation to local processing units and firm commitments by stakeholders to ensure adequate availability of tomatoes for domestic industrial use.
Government welcomes this development, which is expected to ease the flow of fresh tomatoes into Ghana and contribute to stabilising supply on the local market.
This positive outcome also reflects the effectiveness of ongoing bilateral engagements between Ghana and Burkina Faso. Notably, one of the five key bilateral meetings held by Ghana’s Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and her Burkina Faso counterparts on the margins of the WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, has yielded an immediate result with the removal of the restriction on trade in fresh tomatoes.
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, in collaboration with other relevant state institutions, will continue its engagements with Burkinabe counterparts and key stakeholders to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment between the two countries.
Government wishes to assure the public that it remains committed to implementing the necessary measures to safeguard local industries and strengthen the domestic tomato value chain. Efforts are underway and ongoing programmes, including the Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana initiatives, are being intensified to boost local production, improve yields, and ensure a stable and sustainable supply of tomatoes by Ghanaian farmers.
In furtherance of this commitment, Government is rolling out targeted interventions across the value chain, including irrigation projects by the Ministry of Agriculture to support year-round tomato production. Additionally, engagements are ongoing with processors within the tomato value chain to promote backward integration, while suitable lands are being made available for large-scale tomato cultivation to supply both processors and the domestic market.
Tomato traders and all relevant partners are being encouraged to partner Government as it continues to take appropriate steps to protect both consumers and industry players.
END
ISSUED BY: PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATION UNIT – MOTAI
