Eric Opoku Cracks Down On Rice Smuggling

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced plans by government to establish an inter-ministerial taskforce to strengthen surveillance and enforcement against the illegal importation of rice through unauthorized border routes.

Speaking at the West Africa Rice Investment Roundtable on the theme “Mobilising Transformational Capital to Support West Africa’s Rice Agenda,” the Minister said rice smuggling continues to undermine local production and negatively impact the livelihoods of farmers.

According to him, the taskforce will bring together relevant state institutions to monitor border activities, enforce existing regulations and curb the influx of illegally imported rice into the country.

“Government will establish an inter-ministerial taskforce to intensify surveillance and enforcement against the import of rice through unauthorized border routes,” Mr. Opoku stated.

He explained that the move forms part of broader efforts to protect local rice producers and promote the growth of Ghana’s rice industry.

The Minister noted that despite investments in domestic rice production, illegal imports continue to create unfair competition for local farmers and millers, affecting their ability to expand production and remain profitable.

Mr. Opoku reiterated government’s commitment to supporting the rice value chain through policies aimed at increasing local production, improving processing capacity and reducing the country’s dependence on imported rice.

The announcement comes as stakeholders across West Africa seek to mobilize investment and strengthen regional rice production to enhance food security and reduce import dependence.

In addition, Hon. Eric Opoku indicated that, Ghana is preparing to link rice import permits directly to investment in the country’s own rice farms and mills – a policy shift that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture hopes will accelerate progress toward self-sufficiency and trim a growing import bill.

The policy, when implemented, will mean importers can no longer secure permits without first showing verifiable partnerships with Ghanaian rice producers.

“Government will implement an import quota policy that directly links the privilege of importing rice to the growth of domestic production,” Mr Opoku said.

Under the plan, importers must provide evidence of procurement deals or investment arrangements with local rice growers before receiving approval to bring rice into the country. The minister sought to reassure consumers and traders that the goal is not to drive up prices or empty shop shelves.

“We are not raising tariffs that punish consumers. We are not imposing bans that create shortages,” he stated. Instead, he argued, the policy aims to redirect value from the rice trade toward building Ghana’s own productive capacity.

Ghana’s reliance on imported rice remains a heavy burden on the economy, even as domestic output has risen. Last year, the country consumed about 1.71 million tonnes of rice, while local milled production reached roughly 960,000 tonnes. That gap—nearly 751,000 tonnes—forced Ghana to spend around $320 million on imports to meet demand.