Security consultant Professor Kwesi Aning has renewed calls for Ghana to urgently review its food security and national safety policies, warning that the country is failing to prepare adequately for growing population pressures and external security threats.
Speaking in the wake of recent terrorist attacks on Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso, Prof. Aning questioned why key policy documents, including the National Security Strategy, have not been fully implemented to address long-term risks to food production and livelihoods.
“We designed this document six years ago and identified multiple tiers of threats,” he said. “Can we now look at our population of about 33 million and ask ourselves what percentage of our daily food needs we produce in Ghana?”
Prof. Aning, who teaches at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, made the comments while reflecting on the vulnerability of Ghanaian traders who regularly travel to high-risk areas in Burkina Faso to purchase tomatoes and other farm produce.
His remarks follow a deadly attack on Ghanaian tomato traders near Titao in northern Burkina Faso on Saturday, February 14, 2026 — Valentine’s Day — which claimed several lives and renewed concerns about the safety of cross-border trade.
According to him, Ghana’s heavy dependence on food imports and produce from neighbouring countries exposes the country to serious risks, especially as insecurity worsens in parts of the Sahel.
“We have a booming population and growing demand, but we are not doing what it takes to bring about the necessary transformation,” he said. “If production remains at the same level, how do we meet our future needs?”
Prof. Aning also highlighted challenges facing local farmers, including poor access to labour, extension services, and technical support.
“I have friends who have land and want to farm, but you can’t get labour,” he noted. “Many of the workers now come from neighbouring countries. Yet, we treat farming as if it’s not an honourable profession.”
He criticised what he described as the government’s overreliance on symbolic gestures, such as Farmers’ Day celebrations, instead of sustained support for smallholder farmers.
“Once a year, we make noise, give a house to the best farmer. But what about the small farmer who needs an extension officer? What about the one who needs help with crop diseases and feed?” he asked.
The security consultant argued that strengthening local agriculture is not just an economic issue but a national security priority, especially in light of rising extremist activity in West Africa.
He said recent attacks on Ghanaian traders should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to rethink both security and food production strategies.
Ghana relies heavily on tomato imports and cross-border trade from Burkina Faso, especially during off-seasons.
Over the years, insecurity in the region has disrupted supply chains, affecting prices and availability in major markets across the country.
Prof. Aning’s comments add to growing calls for the government to invest more in mechanised farming, extension services, and youth participation in agriculture to reduce dependence on risky foreign routes.
He urged policymakers to revisit existing national strategies and take “bold and daring” steps to secure Ghana’s food system and protect farmers’ and traders’ livelihoods.
“If we don’t act now,” he warned, “we will continue to expose our people to danger and leave our future food security to chance.”
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
