The Sunyani Tomato Sellers Association has shown concern on shortage of fresh tomatoes following export restrictions and advocacy for national food sovereignty in neighbouring Burkina Faso. 

During a market survey conducted at the Sunyani Daily Market on Saturday, 28 March 2026, the association’s leader, Nana Yaa Konama, detailed how the municipality and parts of the Bono Region are already suffering from rising prices and supply gaps. 

The leadership is to persuade the government to invest in year-round irrigation facilities and motivate local growers to produce fresh vegetables regardless of crop seasons to eliminate the current dependency on cross-border trade.

Safety concerns along the international trade routes have further complicated the supply chain, with many traders now unwilling to travel to Burkina Faso. 

Nana Konama explained that frequent armed robbery attacks and recent fatalities involving Ghanaian traders have created a climate of fear. 

She stated, “The road out there isn’t safe, and we can’t risk our lives any longer. Yes, we often encounter armed robbery attacks on the road, but what happened recently leading to the death of some Ghanaians has scared most of us here, and we aren’t ready to lose our lives.”

The association also called on the Crop Research Institute (CRI) to support local growers with climate-resilient, high-quality seedlings. 

Nana Konama noted that many local varieties are currently too watery and prone to rotting, which reduces their market value compared to imports. 

She remarked, “Tomato growers in the country had the capacity… with irrigation facilities and other input support, they could produce enough tomatoes to feed the nation, without necessarily relying on imports.” 

This sentiment was echoed by other sellers who observed that customers are increasingly opting for tomato paste due to the high cost of fresh produce.

Madam Elizabeth, another prominent seller at the Sunyani Daily Market, highlighted the potential for the sector to solve youth unemployment if the right logistics are provided. 

She urged the government to make commercial vegetable farming more attractive through financial and logistical support. 

“Motivating young people to grow tomatoes and other vegetables in commercial quantities would not only create job opportunities, but also help the nation to meet her growing demand for fresh vegetables,” she noted. 

The traders maintain that with the right intervention, Ghana can achieve self-sufficiency and protect the lives of its citizens from dangerous trade journeys.

Source: Access Agric