GHANA has imposed a temporary ban on the export of grains, including maize, rice, and soybeans, to safeguard domestic food supplies as the country faces near-drought conditions that have severely disrupted crop production, the agriculture ministry announced on Monday.
The northern regions of Ghana, which are crucial for grain production, have experienced erratic and significantly reduced rainfall over the past two months, compared to last year. This dry spell has hampered agricultural output in the world’s second-largest cocoa producer after Côte d’Ivoire, affecting around 1.8 million hectares (4.45 million acres) of farmland. Crops such as maize, rice, groundnut, soybean, sorghum, millet, and yam have been the hardest hit
The affected regions supply approximately 62 percent of Ghana’s annual grain needs, raising alarms about potential food shortages nationwide. In response, the government has implemented an immediate export ban, which will remain in effect until the situation stabilises.
To address the shortfall, the agriculture ministry plans to utilise grain reserves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), increase grain imports, and establish partnerships with the private sector. Additionally, a series of interventions have been outlined to support vulnerable farmers affected by the drought.
Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the government intends to raise $500 million to fund initiatives aimed at ensuring food security during this crisis.
Africa, including Ghana, is experiencing a faster rate of warming compared to the rest of the world, leading to more frequent and severe climate-related disasters, such as droughts, according to the United Nations and the African Union. Many African governments, already grappling with debt, are seeking a larger share of global climate financing this year to better manage the escalating threats posed by climate change.
