The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI), with strategic support from the Ghana Police Service’s Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), has successfully brokered a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between two key players in Ghana’s domestic tomato trade, marking a major step toward stability and coordination within the sector.

The agreement, signed on December 22, 2025, brings together the Ghana National Tomato Traders and Transporters Association (GNTTTA) and the Ghana Cargo Owners and Tomato Traders Association (GCOTTA) to resolve a longstanding dispute that had disrupted the tomato value chain since May 2023.

The formal signing ceremony, held at the Ghana Police Headquarters in Accra, effectively brings closure to a protracted standoff that began following a petition submitted by GCOTTA to the Inspector-General of Police. The MoU establishes a unified framework to guide coordination, distribution, and trade of tomatoes across the country.

The consensus was reached through intensive mediation led by MoTAI’s Domestic Trade Directorate, headed by Mrs. Cynthia Djokoto, with critical support from the Ghana Police Service-MTTD. The MTTD was represented by the Director-General of Administration, Commissioner of Police (COP) David Agyemang Adjem, on behalf of the Director-General of MTTD.

COP Adjem expressed satisfaction with the resolution, describing the agreement as a significant milestone in fostering peace and collaboration within the tomato trade. He underscored the need for strict adherence to the terms of the MoU and assured stakeholders of the Police Service’s continued commitment to providing timely intervention and support should challenges arise.

Officials from MoTAI reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to resolving value-chain disputes through dialogue and partnership, noting that the agreement aligns with government efforts to stabilise tomato supply and pricing nationwide.

The MoU is designed to build trust, enhance transparency, and promote sustainable practices within the tomato value chain. Its key objectives include the establishment of coordinated and transparent pricing mechanisms, improved logistics planning and transport scheduling, reduced market losses arising from oversupply, enhanced market access and operational efficiency for traders and cargo owners, and the institution of regular dialogue and structured dispute resolution mechanisms.

Representatives of both GNTTTA and GCOTTA expressed optimism that the agreement would reduce friction, promote fairness, and support the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Commenting on the development, Mrs. Cynthia Djokoto described the agreement as a turning point for the industry. “The formalisation of cooperation between GNTTTA and GCOTTA is a critical milestone in addressing longstanding challenges within Ghana’s tomato value chain. We anticipate that effective implementation of this MoU will improve supply reliability, enhance price stability, and significantly reduce post-harvest losses, thereby strengthening the domestic agribusiness sector,” she said.

The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, has assured both associations of continued support and oversight to ensure full compliance and successful implementation of the agreed commitments.