Regional Minister Calls for Urgent Media Advocacy as Maize Glut Deepens in Upper West

Upper West Regional Minister -Charles Lwanga Puozuing

The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, has issued a rallying call to the media to intensify advocacy efforts regarding the ongoing maize glut in the region. He warned that farmers are increasingly being denied access to vital government support due to the lack of authorised buying officers, exacerbating the already critical situation.

Despite the Ghanaian government's release of GH₵100 million in 2025 to the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) aimed at off-taking excess maize, farmers in parts of the region, particularly in the Sissala area, have yet to benefit from the intervention. Hon. Puozuing explained that current NAFCO officers in the region are restricted to supervisory roles and do not possess the mandate to purchase maize directly from farmers, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the programme.

Stakeholders, including the Council of Sissala Paramount Chiefs and the Sissala Union, have voiced concerns over plummeting maize prices, which have fallen as low as GH₵350 per 100kg bag—significantly below the government’s announced buying price of GH₵450. They also lament the absence of Buffer Stock buyers in their communities, further compounding the farmers’ difficulties.

The Minister emphasized that addressing the crisis requires long-term solutions, including the expansion of local maize processing capabilities. He highlighted ongoing efforts to support Kedan Limited, a grain processing company in Tumu, through a Ghana EXIM Bank facility. This initiative aims to increase maize absorption, reduce post-harvest losses, and create a more sustainable value chain within the region.

In a related development, Mr. Puozuing addressed concerns about the stalled Wa-Hain road project. He reassured that the contractor, who was mobilizing since the sod-cutting ceremony in November, is expected to be on-site this week, signaling renewed commitment to infrastructure development in the area.