FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 05/97

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GHANA

Area:

230 000 sq.km

Climate:

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

Population:

17.99 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 390 (1995)

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

Rains started in early March in the south but remained limited. Precipitation became abundant over the entire country during the third dekad of March, allowing planting of the first maize crop and land preparation for the planting of rice in the south. Reflecting good climatic conditions during 1996 season and the end of ethnic conflicts in the north, the output of cereals in 1996 is officially estimated at an above-average level of 1 770 000 tons

Some Togolese refugees still remain in Ghana following large repatriations in 1996. About 135 000 Liberian refugees whose nutritional status is reported to be adequate are also in Ghana. The 1997 cereal import requirement is estimated at 387 000 tons mostly wheat and rice.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1997 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)


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

1997 Domestic Availability

-

144

1 554

1 698

1996 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

216

1 554

1 770

1996 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

144

1 554

1 698

Possible stock drawdown

-

-

-

-

1997 Utilization

180

344

1 561

2 085

Food Use

177

318

1 189

1 684

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

-

-

Non-food use

3

26

342

371

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

30

30

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

1997 Import Requirement

180

200

7

387

Anticipated commercial imports

130

180

-

310

Food aid needs

50

20

7

77

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

36

6

9

51

of which: Delivered

11

-

2

13

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

10

18

66

94

Indexes





1996 production as % of normal:




112

1997 import requirement as % of normal:




99

1997 food aid requirement as % of normal:




69


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