President John Dramani Mahama has directed that the procurement of rice for schools across the country be centralised to ensure the consistent purchase and distribution of local rice.
The directive comes after reports that several schools continue to procure imported rice for feeding programmes, despite an earlier government policy encouraging institutions to source food items locally.
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In a communication addressed to the Ministry of Education (Ghana), the President expressed concern that the continued purchase of imported rice undermines government efforts to strengthen local agricultural production, support Ghanaian rice farmers, and retain economic value within the country.
To address the issue, the President ordered the immediate reallocation and centralisation of rice procurement for schools.
Under the new arrangement, Ghana Buffer Stock Company Limited will be responsible for the procurement, aggregation, and supply of locally produced rice to schools nationwide.
The Ministry of Education has also been tasked to collaborate with the Ghana Education Service and the Buffer Stock Company to ensure effective implementation of the directive.
This will include establishing coordination and distribution mechanisms to facilitate the timely supply of local rice to schools across the country.
The measure forms part of the government’s broader efforts to support domestic agriculture, improve market access for Ghanaian rice farmers, reduce reliance on imported food commodities, and promote local value chains.
The Office of the President has urged the Ministry of Education to treat the directive as urgent and keep the presidency informed of the implementation arrangements being put in place.