The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Afriyie Akoto, is advising the public against stockpiling food in anticipation of a non-existing shortage.
This, he said, is leading to unwarranted price hikes by traders because of panic-buying.
He urged for calm and reason and stressed that Ghana is not on its knees for food.
The Minister gave the advice at a press briefing in Accra by the Agric Ministry and supported by the Buffer Stock Company.
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This was to provide an update on food security and pricing, following the two-week restrictions on movements in the COVID-19 ‘hotspots’ in Accra, Tema, Kasoa, and Kumasi.
The government under the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme, he said, has been working hard towards food security and has abundant food stock in its warehouses to feed the nation.
He explained that the present price increases had been caused by consumer behaviour, saying and cautioned traders against deliberately profiteering from the situation.
He said, “We are not in a war situation but just two-weeks of restriction on human movement, subject to an extension.”
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The Minister stressed that the present restrictions did not affect the transportation of food items to and from the restricted areas.
According to him, such people are permitted to go about their normal work, to bring in food items to market areas for sale.
He explained that the partial restriction in Greater Accra and Kumasi, is for mass human movements, so as to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infections.
Traders of foodstuffs and prepared food, he said, are exempted and could go about their work normally, but must observe the safety, hygiene and social distancing protocols.
He urged the public to remain calm until the situation improves over the next few days.
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Source: Frontpageghana/Ghana
