Government plans to end commercial rice imports by December 2030, as part of efforts to boost local production and create jobs.
This was announced by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson during the presentation of the 2027 Budget to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Under the new arrangement, public institutions will also be required to procure Ghanaian rice with public funds, following proposed amendments to public procurement laws.
According to the minister, the government will establish rice development hubs in the Volta Basin, Western and Northern Ghana, to support cultivation, processing, storage, and distribution.
Dr. Forson explained that the initiative is expected to bring an additional 100,000 hectares under rice cultivation, achieve yields of five to six metric tonnes per hectare, and create approximately 125,000 jobs.
He added that the government will also introduce targeted tax incentives for investments in irrigation, mechanization, storage facilities, modern mills, packaging, and logistics.
Additionally, from 2027, rice import licences will be linked to purchases from verified local farmers and millers. Importers will be required to increase their purchases of locally produced rice as domestic production expands, while import quotas will gradually decline.
Dr. Forson said the eventual ban on commercial rice imports would be supported by increased domestic production and investments in milling, storage, quality assurance, and distribution.
The measures are expected to begin in 2027 and form part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce food imports, strengthen local agriculture and retain more value within the Ghanaian economy.
