More than 240 tonnes of freshly harvested tomatoes from Ghana’s Upper East Region have been supplied to major markets and commercial outlets in Accra under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), offering timely relief from seasonal shortages and rising prices.
The initiative targets Ghana’s long-standing challenge of tomato scarcity and price volatility, particularly during the dry season, by promoting local, dry-season cultivation. Beneficiary locations include Agbogbloshie Market, CMB Railway Market, Palace Mall and Accra City Hotel, all within the Greater Accra Region.
Implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and funded by the Government of Norway, the programme is coordinated by the World Bank and delivered in partnership with agribusiness firm FarmMate Ltd. Its broader goal is to revitalise Ghana’s domestic tomato value chain, reduce dependence on imports and strengthen national food security through sustainable agriculture practices.
Speaking in Accra, Opoku Agyeman Clinton, Sustainable and Compliance Officer at Accra City Hotel, said the hotel’s decision to procure tomatoes from the FSRP–FarmMate initiative was driven by food safety priorities. He explained that the facility operates under ISO 22000 certification, which incorporates Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). According to him, supplier audits confirmed that FarmMate’s production systems met international food safety standards, with tomatoes arriving firm, unbruised and of consistent quality, enhancing both menu reliability and customer satisfaction.
At Palace Mall, Head of Fresh Purchasing Bassam Taleb noted that the freshness and hygienic quality of the tomatoes had boosted customer demand. He added that FarmMate complied with strict procurement standards, including the use of quality seeds, chemical-free production methods and approved water sources, while urging greater government investment to expand access to clean, locally grown produce.
Traders in Accra’s open markets have also welcomed the development. At the CMB Railway Market, bulk trader Naomi Atuahene observed that the tomatoes lasted up to five days without refrigeration, outperforming imported alternatives. Meanwhile, Hannah Owusu, a trader at Agbogbloshie Market, highlighted lower prices, improved hygiene and increased buyer demand.
FSRP–FarmMate has reaffirmed its commitment to supplying locally produced, chemical-free tomatoes, helping to stabilise markets and strengthen Ghana’s agri-food resilience during the dry season.
