Sankana Tomato Revival Key to Import Reduction — Veep

Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on district assemblies in the Upper West Region to urgently revive tomato production in Sankana, describing it as a strategic step to strengthen local food supply and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imports.

Speaking at the Sankana Festival, she noted that Sankana was once a major tomato-producing hub and still possesses the natural conditions and human capacity needed to restore that status with the right investment and coordination.

Her appeal comes amid renewed national attention on agricultural resilience, following recent violent incidents involving Ghanaian tomato farmers in Burkina Faso, which reportedly led to the death of eight farmers and disrupted cross-border farming activities.

According to the Vice President, revitalising local production is not only an economic priority but also a food security imperative.

“Agriculture as we know is very important to our national development agenda. Sankana is well positioned to benefit from ongoing efforts to strengthen food production and agro-processing,” she stated.

She urged local authorities to work closely with farming communities to expand tomato cultivation across the region, while also improving support systems such as irrigation, input supply, and market access.

Agriculture, Peace and Development Link

The Vice President also emphasised the importance of peace in driving development outcomes, noting that stability is a prerequisite for investment and productivity in farming communities.

“Every aspect of national development rests on peace. Where stability holds, businesses can grow, farmers can invest in their land and children can thrive,” she said.

Her remarks reflect growing government emphasis on linking agricultural transformation with broader social cohesion, particularly in rural areas where livelihoods are closely tied to land and seasonal production cycles.

Infrastructure Push in Northern Corridor

She further highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects under government’s development agenda, particularly road construction works aimed at improving market access in the northern belt.

She cited progress on key routes including the Wa–Tumu–Navrongo corridor, as well as ongoing works on the Wa–Sawla road, which are expected to enhance transport efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers.

These developments, she noted, are part of broader efforts to integrate agricultural zones into national and regional markets.

A Push for Local Production

The call to revive Sankana’s tomato industry forms part of a wider policy direction focused on strengthening domestic agriculture, boosting agro-processing, and reducing reliance on imported food products.

If successfully implemented, stakeholders say the initiative could not only improve farmer incomes but also stabilise supply chains for one of Ghana’s most widely consumed agricultural commodities.

For now, attention is shifting to district assemblies and local stakeholders, who are expected to translate the call into practical investment and coordinated action on the ground.