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.$ 390 (1995) |
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
Rains started in early March in the south and became abundant over the entire country in late March. They remained abundant and widespread in April, May and June and decreased significantly during the third dekad of June. As of the end of June, precipitation remain above average over the entire country. The main maize crop is maturing satisfactorily in southern and central parts while the planting of millet, sorghum and rice are drawing to an end in the north.
Reflecting good climatic conditions in 1996 and the end of ethnic conflicts in the north, the output of cereals in 1996 is officially estimated at an above-average 1 770 000 tons. Some Togolese refugees still remain in Ghana following large repatriations in 1996. 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 387 000 tons, mostly wheat and rice.
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 |
1997 Domestic Availability |
- |
144 |
1 554 |
1 698 |
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
216 |
1 554 |
1 770 |
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
144 |
1 554 |
1 698 |
Possible stock drawdown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1997 Utilization |
180 |
344 |
1 561 |
2 085 |
Food Use |
177 |
318 |
1 189 |
1 684 |
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Non-food use |
3 |
26 |
342 |
371 |
Exports or Re-exports |
- |
- |
30 |
30 |
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1997 Import Requirement |
180 |
200 |
7 |
387 |
Anticipated commercial imports |
130 |
180 |
- |
310 |
Food aid needs |
50 |
20 |
7 |
77 |
Current Aid Position | ||||
Food aid pledges |
36 |
10 |
9 |
55 |
of which: Delivered |
26 |
6 |
5 |
37 |
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
10 |
18 |
66 |
94 |
Indexes | ||||
1996 production as % of normal: |
112 |
|||
1997 import requirement as % of normal: |
99 |
|||
1997 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
69 |