Ghana imported GH¢6.9 billion worth of rice from 2017 to 2020 – Alan Kyerematen

Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has revealed that an amount of GHC 6.874 billion was spent on the importation of rice from 2017 to 2020.

This comes on the back of consistent calls for the ramping of the production and consumption of local rice in Ghana.

Rice is the second most important cereal after maize in Ghana and is a major staple food.
The cereal’s consumption in 2017/18 was estimated at 1 million megatonnes.

Mr. Kyerematen in response to a question by Mohammed Mutala, the MP for Tamale Central gave a breakdown of imports with respect to rice and other foodstuffs into the country in the past 4 years.

“Mr. Speaker, Ghana spent an estimated total of GHC 6.874 billion on the importation of rice from 2017 to 2020. In addition Mr. Speaker, Ghana also imported the following food products over the same period. Fish an amount of GHC 3.9 million, processed chicken an amount of GHC 1.881 million, meat GHC 487 million, vegetables GHC 281 million, and then poultry in the form of birds GHC 184 million.”

By: Citi Business News