FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.34
| Area: | 238 540 sq km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry; two rainy seasons in south and one in north |
| Population: | 19.4 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$290 (2001) |
| 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 |
In the south, rains were generally below average in September and October, which may have affected development of the second maize crop. Harvest prospects are therefore mixed.
In early February, a joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission visited northern Ghana where unusually dry weather conditions had affected crop production. The mission estimated the 2001 cereal production at 1.525 million tonnes, (milled equivalent) which was below average. However the overall food supply situation is close to normal as reduced cereal production in northern regions will be covered by adequate availability of other foodcrops, anticipated commercial imports and food aid already pledged.
The mission estimated total cereal import requirements in 2002 (January/December) at 461 200 tonnes including 89 000 tonnes of food aid. Worst affected areas and vulnerable groups will require food assistance estimated at about 5 000 tonnes to compensate for their reduced harvests.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 212 | 1 523 | 1 735 |
| Previous five years average imports | 234 | 210 | 41 | 485 |
| 2002 Domestic Availability | 10 | 173 | 1 352 | 1 535 |
| 2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 284 | 1 352 | 1 636 |
| 2001 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 173 | 1 352 | 1 525 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 10 | - | - | 10 |
| 2002 Utilization | 214 | 348 | 1 434 | 1 996 |
| Food use | 211 | 315 | 1 209 | 1 734 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 3 | 34 | 196 | 232 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | 25 | 25 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 5 | 5 |
| 2002 Import Requirement | 204 | 175 | 82 | 461 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 138 | 167 | 67 | 372 |
| Food aid needs | 66 | 9 | 15 | 89 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 32 | 13 | 7 | 53 |
| of which: delivered | 32 | 13 | 7 | 53 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 11 | 16 | 62 | 89 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2001 Production as % of average: | 94 | |||
| 2002 Import requirement as % of average: | 95 |