By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Takoradi, March 25, GNA – Tomato traders from the Takoradi market have called on the government to resource tomato farmers within the Ada and Dormaa enclave in particular in order to produce all year round.
They complained that the perennial shortage started some 20 years ago, when all irrigation systems particularly in the Northern part of Ghana broke down thus causing traders to turn their attention to Burkina Faso.
They believed that Burkina Faso tomatoes were of very high quality because it was planted from natural fertilisers from cow and poultry waste.
Madam Kate Ahema Awortwe, Executive Member of the Tomatoes Association of Takoradi in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said the government must begin paying attention to areas like Navrongo, Bolgatanga, Akomadan and Dormaa Ahenkoro, with proper irrigation systems.
“If these communities are helped in producing on a large scale for the country, we will not have to even go to Burkina,” Madam Awortwe said.
Madam Awortwe said the decision by the Burkina government to stop traders from travelling to that country for their tomatoes should prompt the Ministry of Agriculture to make good use of Ghana’s arable land.
Madam Sarah Etruba Simpson, Special Aid to the Tomatoes Queen in the Takoradi Market narrated how the tomato business had helped many families to thrive.
Madam Simpson, who followed her mum, after basic education in the tomatoes trade said, the government must as a matter of urgency revive and create additional dams to feed the production of tomatoes all year round.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Benjamin Mensah