Ghana: famine and farming

In this blog post I will be focusing on Ghana, and the country's transformation from famine to farming. I will draw upon the 1981-1983 drought and famine, Ghana’s agro-ecological landscape and the implications climate change has on the agricultural future of the nation. 

Famine
As you may know, in 1983 Ghana experienced the worst drought in modern history, and consequently widespread famine. Since 1981 there had been very little rainfall, and when it had rained it was at the wrong place or time, producing one of the harshest droughts the nation had ever seen. Without any irrigation, rainfall determined the output and livelihoods of the majority of the population, subsequently resulting in food insecurity. At this point in time the agricultural sector employed over 50% of the labour force and made up nearly 60% of the nation's gross domestic product making the famine even more severe. In 1983, the majority of Ghana received less than 50% of its normal rainfall totals, with Accra (the coastal region) having 58% of its usual rainfall and extensive bushfires occurring in the North.  It was reported that up to 35% of total food production was destroyed across the nation. Two of the three major crops (maize and millet) declined by over 50% and in the South both food crops and cacao were negatively affected. The consequences of the drought and food insecurity meant that per capita caloric consumption decreased to 65% and an increase in food price meant the poorest were the most negatively affected (Figure 1). However, it is difficult to examine the full effects of the famine in Ghana, because it is an area considerably understudied. 

Figure 1: Food price inflation in Ghana during the drought of 1982-1983

Farming 

Ghana has a unique agro-ecological landscape. The nation extends across six agro-ecological zones, covering arid Sudan savannah in the north, the coast, and Guinea savannahs in the south (Figure 2). The varied landscape means Ghana has the perfect conditions to grow a variety of crops. Within the nation's forests tree crops are prevalent, especially those growing cocoa, coffee, maize, legumes and yam. The north is where food crops are primarily grown, including sorghum, maize, millet, cowpeas, groundnuts and yam. Rice is grown within every agro-ecological region across Ghana and is significant to the economy.  Importantly, all of these crops need high levels of water to grow. Almost the entirety of Ghana relies on the 6 month rainy season for water, due to the lack of irrigation (only 0.2% is irrigated). This means that in the north of Ghana in particular, and agricultural production as a whole, are vulnerable to droughts and unpredictable crop production (Figure 3). 

Figure 2: The agro-ecological regions of Ghana

Figure 3: Degree of crop failure across the regions of Ghana

Please watch this video for an overview of the current agricultural landscape of Ghana, including economic impacts, exports, expansion of agricultural production and reasons for intervention. 

Video: Plan for Boosting Ghana’s Agricultural Productivity

Future for Ghana

In the last decade, climatic events, such as droughts and floods have continued to wreak havoc in Ghana's food production, causing significant drops in output. Unfortunately, with climate change, this does not look like it will change anytime soon. The annual mean temperature of Ghana is predicted to increase to 2.0°C by 2050 and rainfall is predicted to decrease by 10.9%. Such changes will lead to an increased frequency of floods, droughts, and cause increased evaporation alongside reductions in groundwater. For farmers in Ghana this is not good. The growing season will be shortened and subsequently there will be negative implications on crop production and food security. 

A way forward?

Studies have highlighted the links between drought vulnerability in Ghana to socio-economic development and spatial differentiation. Therefore, it would make sense for climate adaptation policies to be specific to regions based on their level of vulnerability. For example, The North, Upper East and Upper Western farming communities of Ghana depending on rain-fed agriculture and most vulnerable to climatic changes, could be introduced to other means of income, away from farming. Such evidence from these studies, indicate that policymakers should create specific and targeted climate adaptation policies aimed at reducing the vulnerabilities of Ghanian farmers depending on raid-fed agriculture. This would maximise drought preparedness in the most vulnerable farming regions of Ghana.