The government’s much-discussed Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative has come under fire from the Minority Caucus in Parliament for its perceived lack of effectiveness and impact in light of the nation’s rising food prices.

The Caucus voiced their profound discontent with the rising cost of food, pointing out that the PFJ intervention has not produced the expected beneficial effects, even after being approved and granted billions of Cedis to be implemented.

Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson gave a powerful speech in Parliament on Tuesday, June 11, outlining the severe financial circumstances that many Ghanaians are currently facing.

The Minority Leader emphasized the sharp rise in food costs, using the growing cost of tomatoes as a benchmark. He claimed that this has increased Ghanaians’ cost of living and put a significant financial strain on households all around the country.

“The price of a bucket of tomatoes, which was sold at GH¢75 at the beginning of this year, now sells at GH¢180. This represents an increase of 140%. Mr Speaker, the price of a crate of tomatoes increased by more than 360% between January and June this year alone, moving from GH¢1,500 to GH¢7,000. Times are very hard and Ghanaians are really suffering.

“Right Honourable Speaker, I am curious and I want to ask what has happened to the billions of Ghana Cedis approved by this House for the government’s so-called flagship programme, Planting for Food and Jobs. Where is the food and where are the jobs?”