The Upper East Regional Director of the National Food Buffer Stock Company, Mr. Albert Adongo, has disclosed that the “One District, One Warehouse” initiative introduced by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration remains largely incomplete in the region, creating significant operational challenges for food storage and distribution.
According to Mr. Adongo, the failure to complete these warehouse facilities before the change of government has severely affected the ability of the Buffer Stock Company to effectively carry out its mandate—particularly the direct purchase of foodstuffs from local farmers.
Speaking in an interview on the BlueWaves Breakfast Show on Friday, April 24, 2026, Mr. Adongo explained that the absence of adequate and functional storage infrastructure has limited the company’s capacity to absorb surplus produce during peak harvest periods.
“The Buffer Stock system in the Upper East Region is fully operational and committed to addressing the needs of farmers. However, the lack of sufficient storage space remains a major constraint, and we are actively working to resolve this challenge,” he stated.
He noted that the completion and proper furnishing of the warehouses would not only enhance storage capacity but also play a critical role in reducing post-harvest losses, stabilizing food prices, and improving farmers’ incomes. He added that with adequate infrastructure in place, the company would be better positioned to buy food directly from farmers, thereby eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair pricing.
Mr. Adongo further highlighted that the region’s agricultural sector continues to suffer from avoidable losses due to poor storage systems, emphasizing that the warehouse initiative, if completed, would significantly strengthen food security across the Upper East Region.
Touching on the Senior High School (SHS) feeding programme, Mr. Adongo revealed that the current administration inherited serious logistical and storage-related challenges. He indicated that some second-cycle institutions in the region are struggling to properly store non-perishable food items due to inadequate or non-existent storage facilities.
“In some cases, schools do not have the appropriate structures to store food items safely, which poses risks to both food quality and the sustainability of the feeding programme,” he explained.
He stressed that resolving these storage challenges is critical not only for supporting farmers but also for ensuring the smooth implementation of government interventions such as the SHS feeding programme.
Mr. Adongo reaffirmed the commitment of the Buffer Stock Company to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to address the infrastructure gaps and improve efficiency within the food supply chain in the region.
Source: BlueWaves Radio 93.7FM | Maurice Duncan
