They said the price of a bag of maize had fallen drastically from about GH¢1,200 to GH¢300, warning that unless urgent measures were taken to stabilise prices, many farmers would abandon maize production. The farmers made the appeal during an engagement with the Minority Caucus of Parliament at Atebubu, expressing frustration that their repeated calls for support had not yielded any meaningful response from the government. 

Madam Yaa Gyambea, a maize farmer and trader, expressed concern about the high cost of farm inputs, particularly fertilisers and other agro-chemicals, saying farmers were now at the mercy of middlemen who dictated unfavourable prices. “We are now at the mercy of middlemen who determine prices for us, while our cost of production keeps increasing,” she said. 

Another maize farmer, Mr Nyoja Mborlana, said farming had become unattractive and unsustainable, threatening both lives and livelihoods. “Many of us are suffering in silence and desperation, not knowing what to do,” he said. Rice, yam and cashew farmers in the municipality also shared similar concerns and appealed to the Minority Members of Parliament to help alleviate their plight. 

In responding to the sentiments of the farmers, Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, said the caucus was in the area to assess the prevailing economic conditions affecting farmers and to engage stakeholders directly. He dismissed claims that locally produced maize was unsuitable for poultry feed and urged the government to reduce imports to protect and stimulate the local maize market. 

Mr Annoh-Dompreh said the excessive importation of rice and maize had undermined local production and contributed to the collapse of the domestic market. He said the Minority Caucus was demanding the immediate release of funds to the National Buffer Stock Company to restore market confidence and protect farmers’ livelihoods. 

Mr Annoh-Dompreh pledged the caucus’ commitment to amplify the concerns of the farmers in Parliament and to advocate policies that ensured fair pricing and sustainable agricultural production.