Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson says the government is proposing changes to Ghana’s procurement laws to require institutions that spend public funds on food to prioritise local farmers’ produce.
According to him, the move would help channel government spending into the local economy, support Ghanaian farmers and create jobs.
Speaking on the government’s spending on feeding under the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme and the school feeding programme, Dr Ato Forson said about GH¢5 billion is spent annually on the two programmes.
He noted that a significant portion of the amount goes into feeding students, at a time when local farmers continue to complain about a glut of agricultural produce.
“Why can’t we use government purchasing power, our procurement law, to stop the importation of food to feed our school children?” he asked.
Dr Ato Forson said government must take advantage of its purchasing power to create a reliable market for locally produced food.
“I think the time has come to use the procurement law to force those who are spending to buy from our farmers,” he said.
He added that ensuring government-funded feeding programmes source food locally would help ensure public money supports Ghanaian farmers and contributes to job creation.
