Ghana’s Dependence on Imported Agricultural Inputs is Unsustainable – Prof. Patrick Asuming
Accra, March 7, 2025 – Economist Prof. Patrick Asuming has strongly criticized Ghana’s continued dependence on imported agricultural inputs, warning that it is an unsustainable strategy that undermines local value creation and weakens the country’s agricultural sector.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV with Selorm Adonoo, Prof. Asuming argued that reliance on foreign inputs significantly reduces the benefits of domestic production, as a large share of economic value is sent abroad.
“If you have a strategy that says ‘I will depend on imported agricultural inputs’, I think that is not a sound strategy.”
Prof. Asuming expressed strong opposition to building factories that depend on imported raw materials, stating that such a model is counterproductive.
“If you say you are going to import machinery, that will be understandable, but why on earth would you want to establish a factory and import? Then it means that a big part of the value you are generating is going to go to wherever they’re producing.”
Boosting Local Production and Strengthening the Economy
The economist stressed that prioritizing locally sourced agricultural inputs would create a stable market for Ghanaian farmers, increase domestic production, and strengthen the economy.
He also called for improved infrastructure, such as better road networks connecting farms to processing facilities, to enhance efficiency and reduce production costs.
Currency Volatility and Economic Sustainability
Prof. Asuming warned that Ghana’s currency volatility could worsen if the country continues to import raw materials that it has the capacity to produce locally.
“With the behaviour of the Ghanaian currency, if you’re going to compound it with importing raw materials—particularly the ones we have the capacity to produce—that is where the concern is. We should be preserving the currency we generate for essential things that we don’t have the opportunity to produce locally.”
He emphasized that by reducing dependence on imports, Ghana could create sustainable economic opportunities and boost food security while ensuring long-term stability in the agricultural sector.
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