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Ghana bans export of 2 commodities over food security. But is that enough?

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In the wake of growing concern about food security globally, Ghana’s Food and Agriculture Ministry has placed a ban on the exportation of soya bean, and maize from the country.

The Ministry said the restrictions are part of measures to ensure food security and increase local poultry and livestock production and revealed that the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), has stopped issuing phytosanitary certificates for the export of both commodities.

The Ministry’s Press Secretary, Issah Alhassan explained that the West African country has had challenges meeting its food needs since the outbreak of the global pandemic, Colin-19 in 2020.

“Over the past two years, since the advent of Covid-19, we had to endure a lot of challenges so, in order to ensure that the local demand is met, there was the need to promulgate a law to ensure that any individual that wants to export soybeans from this country has to come for a permit.”

Some countries have been forced to make food policies since the beginning of the ongoing Ukraine/Russia war in February largely because the two countries are major exporters of food, particularly wheat. Recall that slamreportafrica.com reported last month that Egypt’s Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, has announced that the country will diversify its sources of wheat to avoid relying on what he described as “specific sources” for this product.

In Nigeria, Ghana’s West African neighbour, the richest man in Africa and chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote of Nigeria, also warned Nigerians to be prepared for an impending food crisis within the next two to three months.

Mr. Dangote, then advised the government to immediately stop the ongoing export of maize abroad by some Nigerians, blaming the development on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Apart from recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) indicating the increasing cost of foodstuff, there have been concerns over a possible food shortage in Ghana.

But how effective can a ban on exportation be in the push to achieve sufficiency in the world today?  What if other countries also shut down the exportation of other essential commodities? Who loses?

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VenturesNow

Ghanaian cocoa farmers stockpile beans ahead of price rise

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According to industry sources cited by Reuters, cocoa farmers in Ghana, the world’s second-largest producer, are stockpiling beans in anticipation of higher prices.

This could put pressure on supplies to a global cocoa market that is trying to rebound from the devastating harvests of the previous season.

A dozen farmers, purchasers, and representatives from the state regulator Cocobod confirmed the practice, though it was unclear how widespread the up-country bean stocking was. Some blamed the practice for the slowdown in bean purchases.

“I have more than 300 bags, but I won’t sell,” said a cocoa farmer in south-central Ghana, who asked not to be named. “I will only sell after Christmas. We want to see if they will increase the price as they said.”

All of the reports claimed that farmers were responding to remarks made by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who four weeks prior had promised to increase farmer prices to members of the ruling New Patriotic Party.

Speaking at Sefwi Wiaso, one of the largest cocoa-growing communities in southwest Ghana, Bawumia is vying for the presidency in the elections scheduled for December 7. Since then, he has claimed that his remarks were misinterpreted.

According to Cocobod officials, Ghana lost over one-third of its 2023–2024 cocoa production to smuggling, compounding the problems that caused production to drop to a level not seen in over two decades and contributed to record-high cocoa prices worldwide.

After a volatile session on Monday, US stocks ended the day marginally lower as investors braced for a pivotal week that would see the Federal Reserve make its policy announcement and Americans elect a new president.

Ghana increased the fixed farmgate price by over 45% to 48,000 cedis, or little less than $3,000, per metric tonne for the 2024–25 season, which began in September, in an effort to increase farmer incomes and discourage smuggling.

But Ivory Coast, Ghana’s neighbour and the largest cocoa producer in the world, increased the price to 1,800 CFA francs ($3.00) per kilogramme, which is only marginally more than Ghana’s.

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VenturesNow

Zambian govt spends K16.6 billion in October on debt servicing, gulping K4.7 billion

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Zambian Ministry of Finance and National Planning released K16.6 billion in October to assist Zambian development and public service delivery, according to the ministry’s budget release issued by the Treasury.

The government allotted K4.5 billion to pay public service personnel salaries and allowances. Health and teaching staff and Zambian ambassadors abroad received allowances.

The government set aside K4.7 billion for debt service and arrears to reduce national debt. K2.2 billion went to domestic debt service, K256.9 million to overseas debt, and K2.1 billion to legacy fuel arrears.

The ministry’s budget, which stated, “Notable expenditures included K3.5 billion for transfers, subsidies and social benefits, K4.2 billion for various development programs, general operations and capital expenditure, and K700 million for drugs and medical supplies.”

Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance and National Planning, took advantage of the statement to urge foreign investors to think about Zambia as a potential place to invest.

Musokotwane emphasised Zambia’s favourable investment climate while speaking at a recent World Bank meeting in Washington. He also urged collaborations in the fields of manufacturing, mining exploration, renewable energy, and agriculture.

“Zambia is endowed with critical natural resources, and we invite you to collaborate with local business players in mobilizing the resources required for green energy projects, mining explorations and development, and agriculture value chain ventures that support out-grower schemes through farm blocks,” Musokotwane stated.

He called for investors to collaborate with Zambian companies, highlighting the advantages of doing so in important economic sectors like mining, agriculture, and energy.

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