Africa report

GHANA

Area: 230 000 sq.km
Climate: Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south and one in north
Population: 17.4 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 430 (1993)
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: October/September; Lean season: April-June
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 27 percent


CURRENT SITUATION

Rains decreased but remained widespread in late September and early October, resumed during the two last dekads of October in the south and the centre, and decreased in the north and the centre in early November. Precipitation became very scarce in October and early November in the north. The second maize crop is elongating/flowering. In the north, millet and sorghum are developing under favourable conditions and are maturing.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Some 91 000 Togolese refugees still in Ghana are receiving food assistance. For the 1995/96 marketing year (October/September), cereal import requirements for domestic use are estimated at 305 000 tons.



CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)

Wheat Rice Coarse grains Total
Normal production - 100 1 300 1 400
Normal imports (incl. re-exports) 160 120 20 300
of which: Structural food aid 50 50 15 115
1995/96 Domestic availability 15 140 1 430 1 585
1995 Production - 100 1 300 1 400
Possible stock drawdown 15 40 130 185
1995/96 Utilization 180 260 1 450 1 890
Food use 177 252 1 227 1 656
Non-food use 3 8 213 224
Exports - - 10 10
1995/96 Import Requirement 165 120 20 305
Anticipated commercial imports 105 90 5 200
Food aid needs 60 30 15 105
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges 16 1 - 17
of which: Delivered 16 1 - 17
Donor-financed local purchases - - 1 1
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) 10 14 70 94
Indexes
1995 production as % of normal: 100
1995/96 import requirement as % of normal: 102
1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs): 91

TOC