Africa report 05/96 af605p.htm

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 (1994)
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 began in the second dekad of February in the south, stopped in the third and resumed in early March. Land preparation and planting of the main maize crop are underway. As a result of an increase in cropped area coupled with favourable rainfall, aggregate cereal production (including paddy) in 1995 is estimated at 1.8 million tons, which is higher than record output in 1993. However, ethnic conflict at the beginning of 1995 and severe flooding in the north disrupted rice, millet and sorghum production in some areas. Following a good cereal harvest and an increase in root and tuber production, the food supply situation is favourable. Food aid is being distributed to about 71 000 Togolese refugees remaining in Ghana. Some spontaneous repatriation occurred in recent months and it is expected that most refugees will be repatriated by June. About 14 000 Liberian refugees also receive assistance.

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	135	1 603	1 753
1995 Production	-	135	1 603	1 738
Possible stock drawdown	15	-	-	15
1995/96 Utilization	180	225	1 618	2 023
Food use	177	217	1 118	1 512
of which: Local purchase requirement	(-)	(-)	(3)	(3)
Non-food use	3	8	330	341
Exports	-	-	10	10
Possible stock build-up	-	-	160	160
1995/96 Import Requirement	165	90	15	270
Anticipated commercial imports	105	70	5	180
Food aid needs	60	20	10	90
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	49	3	1	53
of which: Delivered	23	3	1	27
Donor-financed local purchases	-	-	3	3
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year)	10	12	64	86
Indexes
1995 production as % of normal:				124
1995/96 import requirement as % of normal:				90
1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including refugee needs):				78

FAO/GIEWS - April 1996