Import Over Our Own?” – Alexander Afenyo-Markin Drags School Feeding Contractors for Ditching Local Rice

This one? It’s messy—and farmers are paying the price. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has gone all in on contractors tied to Ghana’s School Feeding Programme, accusing them of straight-up ignoring local rice farmers and sneaking in imported grains instead. Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum on Friday, April 3, 2026, he didn’t sugarcoat it. According to him, what’s happening isn’t just bad policy—it’s a full-blown sabotage of Ghana’s agricultural backbone. Despite all the “Buy Ghana” vibes being pushed publicly, Afenyo-Markin says the reality on the ground is different: warehouses packed with unsold local rice, while contractors quietly go for cheaper imports. And the biggest shocker? The very programme meant to support farmers—the Ghana School Feeding Programme—is at the center of it all. He claims middlemen awarded juicy supply contracts are bypassing local producers, even after a direct presidential directive to prioritise Ghana-grown rice. The fallout has been brutal. Farmers who trusted the system and scaled up production are now stuck with debt, spoiled harvests, and zero market. Afenyo-Markin didn’t stop there. He also called out the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) for keeping things under wraps. Despite multiple demands from groups like the Peasant Farmers Association, the names of the contractors behind the imports remain hidden. “This is not a market failure. It’s a procurement betrayal,” he said—loud and clear. Now, the Minority Caucus is gearing up for a parliamentary showdown, pushing for a full investigation to expose every contractor involved and every deal signed. Because according to him, this goes beyond economics—it’s about trust. And right now, that trust between government and farmers? Hanging by a thread. His final message: Ghana can’t preach self-sufficiency while quietly funding imports. It’s time to match actions with words—or risk losing the very people feeding the nation.