GHANA (11 September)
Overall crop prospects are mixed. Rainfall levels have generally been below average in the south, and a three-week dry spell in May was followed by another dry period in July. These dry spells caused germination failures, necessitating replanting in several regions. By contrast, satellite imagery indicates that weather conditions have been much more favourable in the centre and north.
The crises in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia have provoked mainly demographic effects on Ghana: influx of third-country nationals in transit through Ghana to their home countries, Ivorians and Liberians seeking asylum and the return of Ghanaian nationals. An estimated 70 000 people have entered Ghana from Côte d’Ivoire since September 2002, while renewed fighting in Liberia has prompted a further influx of thousands of refugees and returnees. The capacity of the government, the humanitarian community and host communities to respond to the needs of these groups is reported to be under heavy strain.