For many Ghanaians, tomato is more than just an ingredient. They are the vibrant heart of our stews and soups, threading through kitchens in every home.
But over the past week, soaring prices in markets across the country have revealed a far deeper crisis. A fragile food supply chain exposed by violence beyond Ghana’s borders.
Tomato prices are rising sharply after a deadly attack on Ghanaian traders in neighbouring Burkina Faso left at least eight people dead and others injured, pushing food security concerns into the national spotlight.
At the RaceCourse Market in Kumasi, tomatoes once sold cheaply and in abundance are now costly and difficult to find.
Market women, hawking a few remaining baskets, spoke of empty deliveries and anxious customers walking away dissatisfied or empty-handed.
“From the time the incident occurred, no tomato car has come here. We cannot go and import tomatoes,” one trader said.
“Every year our people die. If the government does not make provision for us to grow our own tomatoes, we won’t vote,” another warned.
A Survivor’s Harrowing Account
The violence that shook the trade routes is not abstract but painfully real. A survivor of the attack recounted the moments that still haunt her.
“They shot five of our men including one woman. One man hid among us women; he told us to cover him because he was scared he would die. They ordered us to step down and realised there was a man among us. They shot him in his head and leg. He fell to the ground and they shot him three more times. They were about to shoot me till one man ordered them to stop,” she recounted in tears.
Her account lays bare the mortal risk traders faced simply to supply tomatoes to Ghanaian markets.
Impact on Business and Daily Life
The disruption is now rippling through the local economy, squeezing food vendors and businesses that depend heavily on tomatoes.
At a nearby chop bar, owner Agyeiwaa is in disbelief at how quickly prices have surged.
“Tomatoes I used to buy for GH¢800 just last week are now twice and three times the price. We can’t even buy the tomatoes. We can’t increase the prices of our food because you’ll lose customers. This is really affecting us,” she bemoaned.
Across Kumasi, quantities that once sold for GH¢100 to GH¢300 now go for GH¢500 or more, depending on quantity and quality.
Some traders report sourcing supplies from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at significantly higher costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers.
“They don’t reduce the prices of tomatoes there. The president should help us cultivate some here so we will not go there. Sellers who come here to buy from us can’t afford it because they would incur losses,” a trader complained.
The Production Gap behind the Crisis
Senior Research Scientist and Tomato Breeder at CSIR-CRI, Dr. Michael Kwabena Osei, says Ghana’s heavy reliance on Burkina Faso is shaped by both climate conditions and consumer preference.
“The night temperature in Burkina Faso is very low. It favours fruit setting and flowering. But it’s different here. The temperature closer to that is in the Upper East. But even with that, they had a challenge with the soil and there was a virus, and because of that they had to stop cropping.
“Now I’ve noticed government is trying to renovate the dam, and we’re trying to build their capacity to come back to tomatoes,” he said.
He added that many Ghanaian consumers prefer Burkinabe tomatoes because they tend to have a longer shelf life.
To reduce import dependence, Dr. Osei revealed that the CSIR–Crops Research Institute developed two improved varieties in 2021, named ‘CRI Kwabena Kwabena’ and ‘Corpia’ which are capable of producing up to 20 tonnes per hectare, compared to the 7.5 to 10 tonnes per hectare typically recorded by local varieties.
However, he said efforts to scale up seed production and nationwide demonstrations stalled despite early policy enthusiasm.
“The then Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Afriyie Akoko was very happy. He had a plan for us to produce more seeds, he had a plan for us to demonstrate to the entire country but the story ended there,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government has outlined measures aimed at strengthening local agricultural markets.
Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, says the ministry is working to improve direct market access for farmers.
“There are plans to establish farmers markets. Hopefully by the end or middle of this year, the farmers market should be fully operational,” he stated.
A System Exposed
The attack and the resulting price surge have exposed a fragile supply chain vulnerable to regional insecurity and cross-border disruption.
Traders, food vendors and households now face rising costs, uncertain supply and growing anxiety about the future.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
