Politicization of Buffer stock threatens food security - Jasaw warns

Accra, Ghana - The National Food Buffer Stock Company, a vital institution meant to ensure food security and stabilize prices, is being underutilized due to politicization, according to Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Deputy Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee.

Mr. Jasaw lamented that the company's core function of setting commodity prices for grains based on production costs is being compromised by political interference.

This has led to a deviation from its intended purpose, with the company being used to support the school feeding program, rather than focusing on its primary objective.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on August 27, he said, “We have always not utilised the national buffer stock for one reason."

"It was just political inciting between the last minister of agriculture and the CEO of buffer stock. The core activity was for the buffer stock to have licensed buying companies of subsidiary across the country.”

The Deputy Ranking Member emphasized that the company's underutilization has significant implications for food security and the welfare of farmers.

According to Mr Jasaw, each year, the Buffer Stock sets commodity prices for grains based on production costs.

“If a bag of maize is 50 cedis, the buffer stock will add a margin and make it 60 cedis, so that the farmer can be encouraged to sell to the market or the buffer stock and yet not run at a loss. That way the farmer is encouraged to continue producing in subsequent years,” he explained.

He called for a depoliticization of the institution to enable it to effectively carry out its mandate.

“So they don’t announce commodity prices, they don’t have money to go and buy excess food produce in the market and so what happens is that, the farmers also cannot hold this produce. They do not have good storage and processing systems.”

"We should stop the politics of it. We have a reality. We have a challenge on the ground and our population is at the risk of food insecurity,” he said.

Source : Lead News Online