FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 02/97

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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.$ 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:

January/December; Lean season: April-June

Share of cereals in total calorie intake:

27 percent



CURRENT SITUATION

Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Reflecting good climatic conditions during the season and the end of ethnic conflicts in the north, the output of cereals in 1996 is close to 1995 level and above average.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. There remain about 12 000 Togolese refugees in Ghana following large repatriations 1996. From 1 January, food distribution will be reduced to the elderly, children and young mothers, but UNHCR will provide credits to help refugees developing activities in order to get income. 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 335 000 tons, mostly wheat and rice.

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

Wheat

Rice

Coarse grains

Total

Normal Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

165

1 410

1 575

Normal Imports

175

150

20

345

of which: Structural food aid

50

20

10

80

1997 Domestic Availability

5

133

1 521

1 659

1996 Production (rice in paddy terms)

-

200

1 471

1 671

1996 Production (rice in milled terms)

-

133

1 471

1 604

Possible stock drawdown

5

-

50

55

1997 Utilization

185

283

1 526

1 994

Food Use

182

273

1 235

1 690

of which: local purchase requirement

-

-

4

4

Non-food use

3

10

271

284

Exports or Re-exports

-

-

20

20

Possible stock build up

-

-

-

-

1997 Import Requirement

180

150

5

335

Anticipated commercial imports

130

130

-

260

Food aid needs

50

20

5

75

Current Aid Position





Food aid pledges

19

1

4

24

of which: Delivered

-

1

-

1

Donor-financed local purchases



4

4

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)

10

15

69

94

Indexes





1996 production as % of normal:




106

1997 import requirement as % of normal:




97

1997 food aid requirement as % of normal:




94


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