As Ghana marks its 69th Independence Day, questions are being raised about the country’s continued reliance on imported foods, highlighting the gap between symbolic freedom and economic self-reliance.
In a statement released by Janet Asana Nabla, Chairperson and Leader of the People’s National Party (PNP), she expressed concern that while the nation celebrates its sovereignty, many staples consumed in schools, hospitals, and government institutions are still imported.
“Ghana produces rice, maize, beans, palm oil, vegetables, and more, yet these staples are imported to feed Free SHS students, school feeding programs, nurses, teachers, and government training colleges,” the PNP leader said. She argued that local farmers, despite working diligently on Ghanaian soil, struggle to find markets for their produce, while imported goods from countries including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, the USA, Netherlands, China, Niger, and Senegal dominate shelves across the nation.
According to Ms. Nabla, this situation underscores a fundamental issue: the country’s independence remains incomplete. “True independence is not measured by songs or ceremonies; it is measured by action — ensuring that our children, students, and citizens eat locally produced food, that our farmers are supported, and that our economy grows from within,” she stated.
The PNP leader criticised current government policies, suggesting that celebrations at Jubilee House are hollow while foreign products continue to flood the markets, sidelining local producers.
As a solution, she pledged that under a People’s National Party government, emphasis would be placed on Made in Ghana foods across all schools and institutions. The party intends to promote self-reliance, support local farmers, and restore national pride, aligning food security with true independence.
Ms. Nabla concluded, “Only then can our Independence Day truly reflect the freedom and dignity it promises.”
The statement comes amid growing public debate about the balance between imported and locally produced foods in Ghana’s markets, a discussion that has intensified as policymakers and citizens look for ways to strengthen the nation’s agricultural sector and economic sovereignty.