The Wenchi Municipality is currently grappling with serious post-harvest challenges that have left many farmers frustrated and financially distressed. Each year, Ghana experiences significant losses in grains and cereals as a result of inadequate storage and poor post-harvest management. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the country loses close to 30 percent of its grain output due to post-harvest inefficiencies. This national predicament is clearly reflected in the situation unfolding in Wenchi, where neglected storage facilities, reduced market prices, and persistent gluts have combined to threaten both farmer livelihoods and food security.
One of the core issues contributing to the crisis is the abandonment of government-owned grain silos, which were originally designed to strengthen food storage systems and protect farmers from market fluctuations. These silos now sit unused while maize and other grains flood the market, overwhelming demand and causing prices to drop sharply. For many farmers, the inability to store their produce under proper conditions forces them to sell at extremely low prices, often below the cost of production. What should be a rewarding harvest season has instead become a period of anxiety and loss.
Farmers in Wenchi have been vocal about their frustrations. Mr. Robert Nsiah, the 2018 Best Farmer in the municipality, lamented the hardship caused by the maize glut. He noted that the absence of functional storage facilities has left farmers powerless, exposing them to exploitation by buyers who take advantage of the oversupply. His concerns reflect the broader sentiment within the farming community, which sees the situation as unsustainable and damaging to long-term agricultural productivity.
Local agricultural stakeholders and experts have echoed similar sentiments. The Secretary of the Wenchi Local Maize Aggregators, Mr. Kwame Adomako Asiedu, has appealed to government authorities for immediate intervention. He emphasized that without timely support, many farmers may be forced out of business, worsening poverty levels and destabilizing the regional food supply chain. Additionally, Fred Newman Coleman, a lecturer at the Department of Agriculture at Methodist University Ghana’s Wenchi Campus, stressed the importance of educating farmers on modern storage techniques and proper management of grain surpluses. He argued that without the right knowledge and infrastructure, post-harvest losses will continue to undermine agricultural progress.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the Wenchi Municipal Agric Director, Mr. Emmanuel Kwabena Afful, has called on the government to complete the abandoned warehouse located at the Wenchi Buffer Stock zone. This warehouse, initiated under the One-District-One-Warehouse programme by the previous government, has the potential to significantly improve storage capacity and enhance food security if completed. Mr. Afful believes that reviving such projects is essential for ensuring that farmers benefit fully from their hard work during the farming season.
The challenges facing Wenchi highlight a larger national issue that requires urgent and strategic attention. Addressing post-harvest losses is not only critical for safeguarding farmer incomes but also for strengthening Ghana’s food systems as a whole. The completion of storage projects, rehabilitation of abandoned silos, and education on modern post-harvest practices are necessary steps toward achieving sustainable agricultural growth. If these issues are left unaddressed, the cycle of loss, low income, and food insecurity will persist.
Ultimately, the situation in Wenchi serves as a reminder that agricultural development goes beyond planting and harvesting. It requires efficient storage systems, supportive policies, and continuous investment in infrastructure. By prioritizing these areas, Ghana can significantly reduce post-harvest losses and build a resilient agricultural sector that supports both farmers and the nation’s long-term food security.