By Nelson Ayivor
Following the recent terrorist attack in northern Burkina Faso that resulted in the deaths of eight Ghanaian traders, the Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana (VEPEAG) has pledged to intensify local tomato production to help mitigate the risks and challenges faced by traders who travel abroad to source tomatoes for Ghana’s market.
VEPEAG emphasised that a robust local supply chain is essential for ensuring both reliability and safety in tomato distribution.
In a statement released on Tuesday, February 17, and signed by Dr Felix Kamassah, VEPEAG president, the association urged the government to upgrade and expand irrigation infrastructure nationwide. These improvements, they said, are vital for achieving steady and surplus production capable of satisfying national demand.
“We strongly believe that the resources and expertise required for the production of high-quality tomatoes are found here in Ghana,” the statement read.
VEPEAG’s renewed focus on domestic production comes in the wake of regional security concerns, highlighting the need for resilient agricultural systems to support local farmers and protect Ghana’s food supply.