FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.1, April 2001 GHANA 20

GHANA

Area:

230 000 sq.km

Climate:

Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south and one in north

Population:

20.75 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$390 (1999)

Specific characteristics of the country:

Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country

Logistics:

Ports and roads inadequate

Major foodcrops:

Roots and tubers, coarse grain, rice

Marketing year:

January/December; Lean season: April-June

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

27 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

Plantings of the first maize crop is underway in the south and progressing northwards with the arrival of the rains.

Reflecting poor growing conditions in 2000, the food supply situation is tight in some areas. The government announced it plans to halve its rice imports in 2001 in developing more than one million hectares of inland valleys for rice production. About 10 000 Liberian and up to 2 500 Sierra Leoneans refugees remain in the country.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 2001 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total

Previous five years average production - 213 1 536 1 749

Previous five years average imports 202 207 31 440

2001 Domestic Availability - 142 1 536 1 679

2000 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 213 1 536 1 750

2000 Production (rice in milled terms) - 142 1 536 1 679

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

2001 Utilization 200 342 1 581 2 124

Food Use 197 312 1 185 1 693

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 3 26 342 370

Exports or Re-exports - 5 5 10

Possible stock build up - - 50 50

2001 Import Requirement 200 200 45 445

Anticipated commercial imports 195 180 40 415

Food aid needs 5 20 5 30

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 32 - 4 36

of which: Delivered - - 4 4

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 10 15 57 82

Indexes

2000 production as % of average: 100

2001 import requirement as % of average: 101

FAO/GIEWS - April 2001

Area:	230 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south and one in north
Population:	20.75 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$390 (1999)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country
Logistics:	Ports and roads inadequate
Major foodcrops:	Roots and tubers, coarse grain, rice
Marketing year:	January/December; Lean season: April-June
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	27 percent

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Previous five years average production	-	213	1 536	1 749
Previous five years average imports	202	207	31	440
2001 Domestic Availability	-	142	1 536	1 679
2000 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	213	1 536	1 750
2000 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	142	1 536	1 679
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
2001 Utilization	200	342	1 581	2 124
Food Use	197	312	1 185	1 693
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	3	26	342	370
Exports or Re-exports	-	5	5	10
Possible stock build up	-	-	50	50
2001 Import Requirement	200	200	45	445
Anticipated commercial imports	195	180	40	415
Food aid needs	5	20	5	30
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	32	-	4	36
of which: Delivered	-	-	4	4
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	10	15	57	82
Indexes
2000 production as % of average:				100
2001 import requirement as % of average:				101