The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Johnson Asiama, has described the export ban imposed by Burkina Faso on tomatoes as a potential opportunity for Ghana.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Wednesday, March 25, Dr Asiama said the situation could create job opportunities for unemployed youth while boosting local production.

He highlighted that the Ghana EXIM Bank has the financial resources to invest in tomato farming and noted that the country already possesses suitable tomato varieties.

Dr Asiama emphasised that coordinated efforts between government institutions and financial agencies would be key to resolving the tomato supply challenges and ensuring the crisis benefits Ghana economically.

“The risks posed by the Burkina Faso crisis to me are opportunities. We decided to set up a small group, and we’re going to work with the Ministry of Agriculture. We will work with GEXIM and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA). The thing is, if Burkina Faso bans exports of tomatoes, why should it become a crisis in Ghana?

“We have five hundred thousand young people looking for work to do. We have money with the Ghana EXIM Bank, and we have the varieties, what are we waiting for? GEXIM, we were going to give you a call. We are all going to descend and get these things solved,” he stated.