The government’s efforts to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported tomatoes and strengthen local food security were highlighted as the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, visited Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited’s 200-acre farm in Dawhenya.
The visit comes amid growing concerns over the country’s dependence on cross-border tomato sourcing, which has been linked to safety risks for traders and recurring supply gaps. Earlier this year, the Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana (VePEAG), led by Dr. Felix Mawuli Kamassah, who also heads Maphlix, highlighted the dangers following the tragic killing of Ghanaian women tomato traders in Burkina Faso. The association urged the government to revive and expand irrigation infrastructure to support year-round local production.
At the farm, Dr. Kamassah presented proposals to the minister to establish a centralized tomato hub, which would allow trucks to load produce directly from the farm, reducing the need for traders to navigate multiple markets. “I already presented some proposals to him, but they have not given any clear indication on a timeline or commitment regarding the hub,” Dr. Kamassah told The High Street Journal.
The 200-acre farm cultivates high-yield tomato varieties using modern irrigation and greenhouse systems, positioning it as a model for private-sector-led agricultural innovation.
During the visit, Minister Opoku commended the farm’s sustainable practices and its potential contribution to local food security, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in modernizing Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Beyond tomatoes, Maphlix also grows orange-flesh sweet potatoes, which Dr. Kamassah highlighted as a means to support local processing industries and reduce import bills. The farm’s operations demonstrate how modern farming techniques can strengthen domestic production and buffer the local market against regional supply disruptions.
VePEAG has stressed that Ghana has the capacity to produce sufficient high-quality tomatoes locally. However, limited investment in production infrastructure and underutilized irrigation systems have perpetuated reliance on imports and cross-border sourcing. Strengthening domestic production, the association says, is critical not only for food security and price stability but also for the safety of traders and farmers.
While the ministerial visit signals government recognition and interest in the proposals, formal approval and next steps for the tomato hub remain under review. In the meantime, Maphlix continues full operations, growing tomatoes and sweet potatoes, and positioning itself as a potential linchpin in Ghana’s push for modernized, self-sufficient agricultural production.