According to the Director of Administration of the association, Abdul Hakeem Issah, the export ban has forced buyers to source soybeans from neighboring countries such as Nigeria, Togo, and Benin.
He stated that farmers have soybeans in abundance, but due to the export ban, the produce is left to rot because of the lack of buyers.
In an interview with Citi News, Mr. Issah said, “We want the current government to lift the ban and allow the export of the commodity, especially soybeans. Currently, there are a lot of soybeans in the system, but all the buyers have diverted to other countries. They are in Benin, Togo, and Nigeria.”
“They are finding it difficult to come to Ghana just because of the announcement that the government is placing a ban on the export of soybeans. The exporters are not coming. Farmers have the soybeans, and yet there is no market. So it’s a constraint. We don’t understand why the previous government was so keen on enforcing this ban,” he added.
While advocating for the repeal of the Export and Import Restriction of Grains Regulation 2022 (L.I. 2467), he argued that the law has failed to achieve its intended purpose.
It will be recalled that on May 18, 2022, the Akufo-Addo-led government banned the exportation of maize, rice, soybeans, and other grains to eight countries.
The affected countries include Niger, Sierra Leone, the Republic of Congo, the United Kingdom, Qatar, the United States of America, Italy, and Canada.
According to the government, the move aimed to boost local poultry and livestock production and enhance food security in Ghana.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has expressed optimism that Ghana will become the number one exporter of soybeans by 2030.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
