The 2026 Budget Statement has introduced a sweeping directive from President John Dramani Mahama requiring all public educational institutions to source their staple food supplies exclusively from Ghanaian farmers.

Announcing the policy in Parliament, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said the President’s order applies to every public school—from basic to tertiary level—and forms part of a national strategy to support local agriculture and secure consistent markets for farmers.

A Strict Presidential Mandate


Dr. Forson disclosed the core instruction driving the new initiative:
“President Mahama has directed all schools, from basic to secondary, to purchase rice, maize, chicken, and eggs produced in Ghana only.”

The directive is expected to significantly influence the national food procurement chain, particularly for institutions under the School Feeding Programme, Free SHS, and tertiary schools reliant on state funding.

Agencies Tasked With Enforcement


Five key agencies have been assigned oversight responsibilities to ensure strict compliance:

  • Ministry of Education

  • Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund)

  • School Feeding Programme

  • Free Secondary Education Secretariat

  • National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFBC)

NAFBC will play the central coordinating role by aggregating, storing, and supplying locally produced rice and maize to the schools.

A Major Boost for Ghanaian Farmers


The “Buy Ghana, Eat Ghana” policy is expected to transform the local agricultural sector by providing a guaranteed market for four essential food commodities:

  • Rice & Maize: Farmers benefit from stable prices and protection from cheap imports, reducing post-harvest losses.

  • Chicken & Eggs: Poultry farmers gain a major demand pipeline, strengthening their competitiveness against imported frozen chicken.

By tying national school feeding programmes directly to domestic agriculture, the government aims to increase food security, reduce import dependency, and uplift the incomes of local producers.

The policy is expected to serve as a significant economic stimulus for Ghana’s farming communities while promoting sustainability and self-sufficiency in the country’s food systems.