The ECOWAS Commission President warned that West Africa's dependence on imported rice threatens food sovereignty, noting that despite a 44 percent increase in regional rice production between 2008 and 2024, demand still outstrips local supply. He urged governments and investors to accelerate efforts towards rice self-sufficiency and develop regional value chains to create jobs and strengthen economic resilience.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →
ECOWAS aims to achieve regional rice self-sufficiency by 2035 and is urging governments, investors and development partners to accelerate financing. The region currently produces only 61 percent of the rice it consumes, with supply gaps widening despite a 44 percent increase in rice output between 2008 and 2024.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's government announced a new policy requiring rice importers to demonstrate verifiable partnerships with local rice producers before receiving import permits, aiming to accelerate progress toward self-sufficiency and reduce the import bill.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The Agriculture Minister announced plans for an inter-ministerial taskforce to strengthen surveillance and enforcement against illegal rice importation through unauthorized border routes, citing the impact on local farmers and domestic production.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang called for stronger investment in agriculture and resilient food systems to address rising food prices and food security across West Africa, citing imported inflation, supply chain disruptions, and exchange rate volatility as ongoing pressures.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →
West African countries spend about US$3 to 4 billion annually importing rice, a situation the Deputy Finance Minister describes as economically unsustainable and strategically untenable. He urged stakeholders to close the gap between production and consumption to create jobs, improve farmers' livelihoods, and reduce foreign exchange outflows.
2 June 2026 · Joy Online →