_Posted by Daily Newsflash-GH | 29th September, 2026 | Accra_
_Credit: Access Agric / GNA_
The Government of Ghana has directed the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to release *50,000 bags of grains* to settle Ghana’s outstanding obligation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, *Hon. Eric Opoku*, announced that the directive was issued by *President John Dramani Mahama*. He said the obligation arose from a *2018 grain borrowing arrangement* to support the School Feeding Programme.
Speaking at NAFCO’s Annual General Meeting in Accra on Friday, 26th September, 2026, Mr Opoku said NAFCO currently has *20,433 metric tonnes* of grains in storage, which is sufficient to support the repayment.
> “We have been able to procure more than enough to pay back what we borrowed,” he said.
Mr Opoku said the development reflects improved domestic agricultural production under the *Feed Ghana Programme*, with Ghana producing *4.6 million tonnes of maize in 2025* against an estimated national demand of 3.6 million tonnes — indicating a surplus of about one million tonnes.
The Minister also disclosed a major financial turnaround for NAFCO, with the company moving from a net loss of *GH¢19 million in 2024 to a net profit of GH¢91.7 million before tax in 2025*, according to accounts submitted to the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA). Its gross profit margin also increased from *1.61% in 2024 to 13.96% in 2025*.
NAFCO CEO, Mr George Abradu-Otoo, said the company had strengthened its auditing, procurement and food safety functions, controlled expenditure, and is rehabilitating warehouses in Yendi, Tamale, Wenchi, Sunyani and Kumasi to improve storage capacity.
The Minister further directed suppliers for public feeding programmes, including Free SHS, to purchase food directly from Ghanaian farmers rather than relying on imports.
Source: Access Agric / Ghana News Agency (GNA)
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#NAFCO #ECOWAS #EricOpoku #GrainReserve #FoodSecurity #FeedGhana #MaizeProduction #PresidentMahama #SchoolFeeding #DailyNewsflashGH #AgricNews
