Women’s Organiser for the United Party, Hajia Gloria Amenu, is urging Ghanaians to place greater value on locally produced goods while calling on the government to take swift action to protect women and children. Her remarks come in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in neighbouring Burkina Faso that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaian citizens.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, February 21, Hajia Amenu drew attention to what she described as two pressing concerns — Ghana’s growing dependence on imports and the rising security threats within the region.
“The cost of production in Ghana is sometimes very, very high, and we also experience a lot of wastage,” she said.
She expressed concern over the country’s heavy reliance on agricultural imports from Burkina Faso, particularly items that Ghana produces in abundance.
“We grow tomatoes here in Ghana, yet we’re not used to patronising Ghana-made goods. When you go to the market, many people prefer tomatoes from Burkina Faso. It’s not just tomatoes — we import garden eggs, beans, and others. Even market women will tell you that Burkina Faso beans taste better than Ghanaian ones,” she noted.
According to Hajia Amenu, this preference for imported goods weakens local production and places Ghanaian farmers at a disadvantage. She also lamented the lack of effective preservation systems for seasonal produce, which often leads to significant losses.
“Our yams come in seasons and go to waste. Our plantains come in seasons and go to waste. We have everything — God has blessed Mother Ghana so much — yet we keep depending on others and making other countries richer than ourselves,” she said.
Beyond the economic implications, she linked the discussion to security concerns, highlighting the risks faced by those transporting farm produce.
“Even those transporting tubers of yam sometimes label them and hand them over to truck drivers because they don’t feel safe. So even internally, we are failing Ghanaian women,” she stated.
Hajia Amenu described the situation as a clear warning that Ghana must do more to protect its citizens, particularly women and children, both within the country and beyond its borders.
“It is a wake-up call to all of us. The government must prioritise the protection of Ghanaian women and children,” she stressed.