PressBridge

Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on district assemblies in the Upper West Region to take urgent steps to revive tomato production in Sankana, as part of efforts to boost local supply and reduce dependence on imports.

She noted that Sankana was once a key centre for tomato farming and still holds strong potential to reclaim its status as a major production hub.

The Vice President’s appeal comes amid broader government efforts to strengthen domestic agriculture, particularly following recent attacks on Ghanaian tomato farmers in Burkina Faso, which resulted in the deaths of eight individuals.

Speaking during the Sankana Festival, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged local authorities to collaborate closely with communities to revitalise tomato cultivation across the region. She emphasised the critical role of agriculture in Ghana’s development agenda, adding that Sankana stands to benefit significantly from ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing food production and agro-processing.

She further stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability, describing it as a foundation for development. According to her, a secure environment enables businesses to grow, encourages farmers to invest, and allows communities to thrive.

Highlighting infrastructure development, the Vice President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving road networks in northern Ghana under the Big Push programme. She disclosed that construction is ongoing on the road linking Wa, Tumu, and Navrongo, while work has also commenced on the Wa–Sawla route.