FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 1999 GHANA 20

GHANA

Area:

230 000 sq.km

Climate:

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

Population:

18.50 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 370 (1997)

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

Growing conditions are satisfactory so far. Rainfall was well distributed and above normal from the second dekad of June to mid-September, favouring crop development. Army worm infestations were reported in the Upper East region, threatening millet and sorghum. In September, severe floods devastated three areas in the Northern Regions as major rivers burst their banks. Some 332 000 people have been made homeless by the floods (300 000 in Northern Region, 15 000 in Upper West Region and 17 000 in Upper East Region). The floods have destroyed farmlands, crops and livestock and caused an outbreak of cholera in some villages. Emergency assistance is underway for some 300 000 victims.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory except in the flooded areas. About 20 000 Liberian refugees remain in the country, receiving food assistance.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production

-

165

1 410

1 575

Normal Imports

175

200

15

390

of which: Structural food aid

60

40

12

112

1999 Domestic Availability

-

129

1 593

1 722

1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

193

1 593

1 786

1998 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

129

1 593

1 722

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1999 Utilization

210

359

1 628

2 197

Food Use

207

321

1 279

1 807

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

3

23

329

355

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

20

20

Possible stock build up

-

15

-

15

1999 Import Requirement

210

230

35

475

Anticipated commercial imports

210

210

30

450

Food aid needs

-

20

5

25

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges

93

4

5

102

of which: Delivered

12

4

4

20

Donor-financed purchases

-

-

1

1

of which: for local use

-

-

1

1

for export

-

-

-

-

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

11

17

69

98

Indexes

1998 production as % of normal:

113

1999 import requirement as % of normal:

122

1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:

22

FAO/GIEWS - December 1999

Area:	230 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south and one in north
Population:	18.50 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 370 (1997)
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
Normal Production	-	165	1 410	1 575
Normal Imports	175	200	15	390
of which: Structural food aid	60	40	12	112
1999 Domestic Availability	-	129	1 593	1 722
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	193	1 593	1 786
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	129	1 593	1 722
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1999 Utilization	210	359	1 628	2 197
Food Use	207	321	1 279	1 807
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	3	23	329	355
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	20	20
Possible stock build up	-	15	-	15
1999 Import Requirement	210	230	35	475
Anticipated commercial imports	210	210	30	450
Food aid needs	-	20	5	25
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	93	4	5	102
of which: Delivered	12	4	4	20
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	1	1
of which: for local use	-	-	1	1
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	11	17	69	98
Indexes
1998 production as % of normal:				113
1999 import requirement as % of normal:				122
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:				22