Dr Bryan Acheampong
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong, has expressed skepticism over the Ghana Statistical Service’s (GSS) recent report on food prices and inflation.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, Acheampong disputed the report’s findings, stating that his Ministry’s data paints a different picture.
“I don’t know where Statistical Service collected their data from,” Acheampong said. “I am in every part of this country daily. I get data on farm gate prices of almost 22 commodities that we are tracking. I get market prices of these items daily.”
Bryan Acheampong highlighted that while maize prices have increased due to the dry spell, prices for other essential food items like plantain, tomatoes, onions, and cassava have dropped significantly.
“Plantain has dropped by 27%, tomatoes by 30%, onions by 11%, and cassava by 13%,” he noted.
“This is what is happening on the ground… If you go to the market, the prices of everything, except maize, are coming down.”
The Minister also criticized the GSS’s method of calculating inflation, arguing that it doesn’t reflect the recent downward trend in food prices.
“Inflation figures for September are comparing prices from September this year to last year September. But I am telling you, from January to date, the price of food is going down,” Acheampong clarified.
This development comes amid concerns over the impact of the dry spell on food prices.
However, Acheampong assured that his Ministry is committed to providing accurate data and ensuring food security.
Background:
Ghana’s agricultural sector has faced significant challenges in recent years, including climate change, irrigation issues, and market fluctuations.
The government has implemented various initiatives to support farmers and ensure food security.
BY Daniel Bampoe