Despite the introduction of Planting for Food and Job, Market women in Ghana import about 90% of tomatoes from neighboring countries, including Burkina Faso.
Since the outbreak of COVID -19, which is now pandemic, the price of tomatoes has increased drastically Ghanaian market.
In an interview with Queen-mother of Importers of Tomatoes from Asamankese, Madam Margeret Appiatu, said they spend over ¢6,500 as duties and transportation to import tomatoes from Burkina Faso to Asamankese market.
According to her, they could not travel to Burkina Faso during the Restriction period in Accra and Kumasi and that resulted in shortage under the three weeks and commanded the government for lifting the restrictions.
Madam Margeret Appiatu due to the coronavirus outbreak, they pass through screening processes before they are allowed to enter Burkina Faso and urged Ghanaians to be serious with the deadly disease and join the fight against the spread.
She appealed to the government to support farmers in the Country to produce more tomatoes locally boost the Economy.
Ghana National Tomatoes Traders and Transporters Association (GNTTTA) have disclosed that Ghana loses CFA56 billion, approximately $99.5 million to Burkina Faso through the importation of fresh tomatoes annually and the remaining 10 percent is consumed between that country and La Cote D’Ivoire.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kofi Atakora
