Rice is one of the most important staple foods in Ghana. Rice can be found in many households  with each household believed to have at least, one rice meal in a day.

Due to its rate of consumption and demand many importers have ventured into rice importation into the country to meet the country’s demand for the cereal food.

According to records from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in 2017, Ghana imported over 600 thousand metric tonnes of rice worth US$331.2 million.

Each year, Ghana spends huge sums of money to import rice. Because of this practice, many Ghanaians have developed a strong taste for foreign rice as against those produced in the country.

Although there are different reasons accounting for the country’s over-dependence on imported rice, some say the foreign rice is readily available as compared to the local rice. Others say  the foreign rice is well packaged, highly polished and has a fragrance that is irresistible.

Many industry players have expressed worry over the huge importation of foreign rice into the country, arguing that such imports only put a drain on the country’s economy.

In light of addressing Ghana’s over-dependence on foreign rice, the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in partnership with other key stakeholders such as the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation, Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB), the Miller’s Association of Ghana and the Hopeline Institute, has initiated some ambitious programs to ensure that the country is self-sufficient in rice production.

For instance, through the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs program, many rice farmers have been assisted by the government to increase their rice production. The Planting for Food and Jobs program is aimed, among other things, of ensuring Ghana’s self-sufficiency in food, particularly rice and maize.

Industry players believe that the increase in rice production will increase the country’s food sufficiency, create jobs and reduce the country’s reliance on other countries for rice.

Dr Jule Nura, the Minister of State in charge of Agriculture; said there has been massive progress in the production of Ghana rice this year. According to him, the heavy rains and the technical training given to rice farmers by the Agric Ministry have led to the massive improvement in the rice sector.

He said that the Ministry has no intention of exporting rice produced in the country yet, but to rather curb the high level of rice importation in the country.

Institutions such as the Ghana Standards Authority, Food and Drug Authority and the Ghana Traders Association, have all urged the public to patronise Ghana rice, particularly during this festive season.

Prof. Alex Dodoo, the Director for the Ghana Standards Authority, urged Ghanaians to patronise Ghana rice, pointing out that the Ghana Standards Authority is in support of the eat-Ghana-rice campaign.

The Ghana Traders Association GUTA is also suggesting to the government to get people such as Kwame Despite, Kwasi Twum and the Member of Parliament for the Assin Central Constituency, Mr Kenedy Agyapong involved in the eat-Ghana-rice campaign.

Mr David Amoateng, the Accra Regional Chairman said getting the three men involved in the Ghana rice campaign would help promote Ghana rice consumption since they are all well-known businessmen with huge influence.

He further advised the agriculture sector to give cash to winners of the Best Farmer award instead of houses and cars to help them reinvest into their own business.

Touching on the export of Ghana rice, Mr Amoateng urged the government to increase the tariffs on imported rice.

The Food and Drug Authority has also urged Rice Farmers to produce quality rice to keep them ahead of their competitors.

Mrs Maria Aba Lovelace–Johnson, the Chief Regulatory Officer, Head, and Food Enforcement Department of the FDA, said local rice farmers must see to it that what they produced is safe for consumption.