In a bold move to secure Ghana’s food future, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture John Dumelo visited the Zaare irrigation farms in the Upper East Region on Monday, February 23, 2026. His message was clear: Ghana is accelerating its plan to drastically reduce, and eventually halt, tomato imports from Burkina Faso.
The visit follows a devastating tragedy in the Burkinabè town of Titao on February 14, 2026, where eight Ghanaian tomato traders were killed in a jihadist ambush.
Hon. John Dumelo
Why the 2026 Target?
Ghana currently spends approximately $400 million annually on tomato imports to meet a national demand of nearly 800,000 metric tonnes.
Short-Term Goal: The Ministry aims to cut imports by 20–30% by the end of 2026.
Dry Season Target: The government plans to boost dry-season production to between 200,000 and 300,000 metric tonnes this year.
Full Independence: Dumelo predicts that with current research and irrigation trials, Ghana can achieve total self-sufficiency and stop imports from neighboring countries within five to six years.
The "Zaare Strategy": Irrigation and Solar Tech
During his tour of the Zaare farms and other northern sites like the Tono Dam, Dumelo detailed the "boots-on-the-ground" interventions being rolled out.
Solar-Powered Irrigation: Over 1,000 solar-powered water pumps have been distributed to smallholder farmers to enable year-round cultivation without the high cost of fuel.
Tomato Trials: Active trials are underway at the Tono Irrigation Scheme (50–60 acres) and Akomadan to identify high-yield varieties that can withstand the local climate and match the quality of Burkinabè tomatoes.
Private Sector Partnership: A private firm is currently preparing 6,000 acres of land dedicated solely to tomato production to support the national initiative.
Processing Stability: A new processing plant in Asante Akyem North is expected to become operational this year to prevent post-harvest losses during gluts.
Safety and the "Traders' Corridor"
While the long-term goal is to keep traders within Ghana, the government is taking immediate steps to protect those who must still travel across the border.
Joint Security Pact: Ghana and Burkina Faso have signed a formal security agreement involving intelligence sharing and coordinated counter-terrorism operations along trade routes.
Police Escorts: Traders are currently being urged to avoid traveling to northern Burkina Faso without official security aid or verified safe passage.
Economic Fallout: The Ghana National Tomato Traders and Transporters Association has temporarily suspended imports from Titao, leading to a surge in tomato prices in Accra markets as traders seek alternative sources in Abidjan.
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