By: Deborah Pofara Luu
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on Ghana to return 27,000 tons of maize and rice borrowed in 2018 to address earlier food security challenges.
The demand was revealed by Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, during the launch of the government’s Feed Ghana Programme on April 12, 2025
The Minister for Food and Agriculture disclosed that ECOWAS leaders recently visited his office to request the repayment of the food stocks.
“They said Ghana owes them rice and maize of about 27,000 tons, which we borrowed in 2018, and that they are asking that we refund it,” he said.
He added that he has requested a one-year grace period on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama to mobilize the quantities needed for repayment without compromising domestic food needs.
“Once we commence the Feed Ghana initiative, we will come and repay the loan in one year’s time,” Mr Opoku stated.
The Feed Ghana Programme is a flagship initiative aimed at modernizing agriculture, boosting food security, and supporting economic transformation. President Mahama described it as a critical part of his Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), designed to create jobs, reduce food inflation, and improve livelihoods through sustainable agricultural practices.
The government’s request for a grace period reflects the need to balance regional obligations with ensuring sufficient food supply for Ghanaians amid ongoing efforts to enhance domestic production and food security.
