Chamber of Agribusiness appeals for nationwide price adjustments

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has appealed to stakeholders to reduce commodity prices to ease the financial burden on consumers and protect national food security.

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, CAG warned that rising food prices were undermining public health, eroding purchasing power, and threatening Ghana’s economic stability.

“Soaring food prices severely erode consumer purchasing power, pushing nutritious diets out of reach for millions and directly threatening our national goals of food security, improved nutrition, and balanced diets,” said Mr. Anthony Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of CAG.

“While acknowledging the cost pressures on businesses, inaction is not an option. Collective responsibility is paramount,” he added.

CAG noted that high food prices forced low-income households to rely on calorie-dense but nutrient-poor staples, fuelling malnutrition and increasing vulnerability to diet-related non-communicable diseases.

It also warned that inflated prices stifled consumer demand, weakened non-food sectors, and slowed economic recovery.

“When consumers spend an unsustainable portion of their income on basic food, demand for other goods and services collapses. This contraction hurts the entire economy, including non-food businesses that employ millions,” the statement said.

To address the crisis, CAG urged government intervention to tackle high agro-input costs, poor road networks, and inadequate storage infrastructure.

It proposed targeted, digitally managed input subsidies for fertilisers and seeds, strategic reserves, and investment in climate-smart storage facilities accessible via public-private partnerships.

On logistics, the Chamber called for rehabilitation of feeder roads and enforcement of axle load limits to reduce transport costs.

It also advocated expansion of programmes like the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) and development of tailored funding for SMEs across the value chain.

“Enforce regulations to reduce lending rates for agribusiness and streamline loan application processes. Invest in robust, real-time national market information systems accessible via mobile platforms for farmers, traders, and transporters to improve price discovery and planning,” the statement added.

CAG urged bold leadership and coordinated action, stating, “We demand decisive action. The challenges outlined are not insurmountable but require political will, innovative policy, and significant, well-targeted investment.”

Source: GNA

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