by Abigail Teye

The government plans to end commercial rice imports by December 2030, with a new policy requiring importers to buy more locally produced rice as domestic production increases.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced the plan during the presentation of the 2027 budget to parliament on 12 Thursday, November.

From 2027, rice import licences will be tied to purchases from verified Ghanaian farmers and millers. The share of local rice importers must buy will increase as production expands, while import quotas will gradually decline.

“Commercial rice imports will be prohibited by end of 2030,” Dr Forson told Parliament.

He said the decision would be supported by increased domestic production, milling, storage, quality assurance and distribution.

The government will also amend public procurement laws to require schools, hospitals and other public institutions to buy Ghanaian rice and other locally produced staple foods with public funds.

“This will ensure that public spending feeds our children, patients, and other beneficiaries while providing a reliable market for Ghanaian farmers and creating jobs here at home,” he said.

To increase production, the government will establish rice development hubs in the Volta Basin, Western Ghana and Northern Ghana.

The hubs will provide irrigation infrastructure, mechanisation, storage facilities, modern mills, packaging and logistics.

The initiative is expected to bring an additional 100,000 hectares under rice cultivation, with targeted yields of five to six metric tonnes per hectare. It is also expected to support about 125,000 jobs.

Dr Forson said targeted tax incentives would be provided for investments in irrigation, mechanisation, silos, modern mills, packaging and logistics.

“These incentives will lower investment costs, reduce post-harvest losses, and help Ghanaian rice reach consumers at competitive prices,” he said.

The measures are intended to expand local production and processing while creating a reliable market for Ghanaian rice before the planned end of commercial imports in 2030.

Published Date: November 13, 2026