The Government of Ghana has welcomed Burkina Faso’s decision to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes, describing it as a timely intervention that will help stabilise supply on the local market.
In an official statement, the government noted that the decision by Burkinabe authorities comes after improvements in supply to local processing factories and renewed commitments by stakeholders to prioritise domestic industrial needs.
“The Government of Ghana has taken note of the decision to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes,” the statement said.
The development is expected to ease the flow of tomatoes into Ghana, where supply constraints in recent months have contributed to price volatility. Authorities believe the resumption of exports will bring some relief to both traders and consumers.
The government further highlighted that the breakthrough reflects the strength of diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries. It pointed specifically to high-level bilateral engagements led by Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, noting that one of the meetings held on the sidelines of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé has already yielded results.
“This positive outcome also reflects the effectiveness of ongoing bilateral engagements between Ghana and Burkina Faso,” the statement emphasised.
Despite welcoming the decision, the government reiterated its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s local tomato industry to reduce reliance on imports. It assured the public that strategic programmes are being intensified to boost domestic production.
“Government wishes to assure the public that it remains committed to strengthening the domestic tomato value chain,” it stated.
Among the measures being rolled out are irrigation projects to support year-round farming, partnerships with processors to encourage backward integration, and the allocation of land for large-scale tomato cultivation.
The statement also encouraged tomato traders and stakeholders to collaborate with authorities to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment.
