Ghana Needs National Agriculture Database to Protect Farmers and Stabilize Markets, Says Agribusiness Chamber

The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana, Anthony Morrison, has urged the government to establish a comprehensive national agriculture database to protect local farmers and regulate imports effectively. Morrison emphasized that a well-organized database could prevent market distortions and support evidence-based policy decisions that benefit the country’s agricultural sector.

His call comes after reports that Ghanaian tomato traders were recently attacked by insurgents in Burkina Faso while sourcing produce. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of traders traveling outside the country to secure agricultural goods and the vulnerabilities in Ghana’s supply chain.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, February 17, Morrison highlighted that Ghana’s ongoing reliance on imported agricultural commodities—even when local production exists—points to a structural policy gap. He stressed that using data-driven planning could help address this issue, reduce market disruptions, and ensure local producers thrive.

Morrison explained that the Chamber has been advocating for a national agriculture information system for over a decade. Such a system would track production levels across all regions, enabling authorities to make informed decisions on import permits. This would ensure that imported goods do not flood the market at the same time as locally harvested crops, protecting farmers’ incomes and reducing post-harvest losses.

“The database would allow authorities to determine exactly how much of each crop will be harvested and when,” Morrison said. “If someone applies to import 50,000 tonnes of a product, the system could show that local production will meet demand, preventing unnecessary imports. This is crucial for stabilizing our markets and protecting both farmers and traders.”

source: citi newsroom