FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1999 GHANA 20

GHANA

Area:

230 000 sq.km

Climate:

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

Population:

18.50 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 370 (1997)

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

The rainy season started in early March over the south and in late March in the centre. Rains decreased in late March and remained limited but widespread in April and May. Vegetation images in June showed below normal vegetation in the centre and the north, but the crop condition should improve following good rainfall in June and early July. Army worms infestations have been reported in the Upper East region and are threatening millet and sorghum crops.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. About 20 000 Liberian refugees are remaining in the country and are receiving food assistance. The 1999 cereal import requirement is estimated at 475 000 tonnes, mostly wheat and rice.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1999 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tonnes)

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

1999 Domestic Availability - 129 1 593 1 722

1998 Production (rice in paddy terms) - 193 1 593 1 786

1998 Production (rice in milled terms) - 129 1 593 1 722

Possible stock drawdown - - - -

1999 Utilization 210 359 1 628 2 197

Food Use 207 321 1 279 1 807

of which: local purchase requirement - - - -

Non-food use 3 23 329 355

Exports or Re-exports - - 20 20

Possible stock build up - 15 - 15

1999 Import Requirement 210 230 35 475

Anticipated commercial imports 210 210 30 450

Food aid needs - 20 5 25

Current Aid Position

Food aid pledges 53 3 5 61

of which: Delivered 0 - 2 2

Donor-financed purchases - - - -

of which: for local use - - - -

for export - - - -

Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) 11 17 69 98

Indexes

1998 production as % of normal: 113

1999 import requirement as % of normal: 122

1999 food aid requirement as % of normal: 22

FAO/GIEWS - August 1999

Area:	230 000 sq.km
Climate:	Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south and one in north
Population:	18.50 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 370 (1997)
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

	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
1999 Domestic Availability	-	129	1 593	1 722
1998 Production (rice in paddy terms)	-	193	1 593	1 786
1998 Production (rice in milled terms)	-	129	1 593	1 722
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	-	-
1999 Utilization	210	359	1 628	2 197
Food Use	207	321	1 279	1 807
of which: local purchase requirement	-	-	-	-
Non-food use	3	23	329	355
Exports or Re-exports	-	-	20	20
Possible stock build up	-	15	-	15
1999 Import Requirement	210	230	35	475
Anticipated commercial imports	210	210	30	450
Food aid needs	-	20	5	25
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	53	3	5	61
of which: Delivered	0	-	2	2
Donor-financed purchases	-	-	-	-
of which: for local use	-	-	-	-
for export	-	-	-	-
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year)	11	17	69	98
Indexes
1998 production as % of normal:				113
1999 import requirement as % of normal:				122
1999 food aid requirement as % of normal:				22