The Minority in Parliament has warned that unchecked smuggling of rice, fish, and other food products is undermining Ghanaian farmers and threatening national food security.

In a statement issued on Friday, December 5, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said imported rice and fish, often repackaged by politically connected actors, are flooding local markets at prices far below those of domestically produced goods. 

This, he argued, leaves farmers and fishers unable to compete, further compounding the economic challenges they already face due to rising production costs, logistical constraints, and inadequate government support.

“Even as our farmers battle unsold produce and our fishers face scarcity at sea, cheap, expired, and smuggled products continue to destroy local markets. A nation blessed with fertile land and abundant waters cannot continue to allow this to happen,” the Minority statement said.

The Minority is calling for urgent government action to enforce customs and import regulations, punish offenders, and create a level playing field for local producers. 

It also urged the government to prioritise the purchase of unsold domestic grains, ensure reliable premix fuel for fishing communities, and strengthen national programmes that support modernised agriculture and aquaculture practices.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin stressed that Ghanaian farmers and fishers are the backbone of the country’s economy and food security, and that protecting them from unfair competition is critical for long-term national development. 

“Our producers deserve policies that safeguard their markets, support their livelihoods, and ensure that they can compete fairly while feeding the nation,” he added.