Government is launching a crisis response programme aimed at raising about $500 million (approximately GH¢8 billion) to mitigate the impact of severe dry spell affecting farmers across Ghana.
Minister for Finance Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam who announced this, said out of this amount, GH¢2.5 billion will be sourced from the contingency fund, while an additional GH¢2.4 billion is expected to come from the World Bank and other development partners.
According to him, the World Bank’s support will be directed towards cash transfers and input supply, while funds from the national budget will provide food relief for Ghanaians.
Dr. Amin Adam made the announcement at a joint news briefing by him, Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Defence Dominic Nitiwul in Accra on Monday.
The Ministers provided details on the government’s plan to support over 980,000 farmers who have been severely impacted by the dry conditions
The crisis response package includes food grants, and the supply of essential inputs to alleviate the challenges faced by farmers.
As part of the package, vulnerable farmers will receive financial support of GH¢1,000 per hectare, alongside food grants to ensure they meet their basic nutritional needs.
The government is also committed to helping farmers replant crops that have failed due to the lack of rain by providing fast-maturing seeds and fertilizers within the remaining planting window.
While acknowledging that the government’s response may not entirely resolve the crisis, Finance Minister Amin Adam emphasised that these measures are essential in stabilizing the situation until the country can recover from the adverse effects of the dry spell.
Farmers affected
The dry spell has affected an estimated 980,000 farmers cultivating around 1.8 million hectares of land, particularly in the five regions of the North, Bono and other farming regions.
These regions contribute approximately 62% of the nation’s annual grain production, and potential losses are estimated at GH¢22.2 billion.
Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Bryan Acheampong said government’s swift and comprehensive response underscores its commitment to safeguarding the livelihoods of Ghanaian farmers and ensuring food security for the nation.
He said as the country faces this challenging period, the measures taken are aimed at stabilizing the agricultural sector and preventing a looming food crisis.
Temporary ban
Dr. Bryan Acheampong also announced that government is imposing a temporary ban on grain exports as part of a comprehensive crisis response programme to a severe dry spell impacting Ghana.
The initiative, he indicated, is designed to retain sufficient grain stock within the country to prevent a potential food shortage.
Additional crisis response programme
The Food and Agriculture Minister said government’s response includes mopping up existing grain stock from farmers, procuring additional grains and poultry feed, and offering technical support for soil moisture conservation techniques.
13 irrigation projects
Recognizing that the long-term solution lies in improved water management, the government is fast-tracking efforts to complete 13 ongoing irrigation projects under the Agriculture Economic Enclaves Programme.
These projects are part of a broader strategy to support year-round farming and reduce farmers’ dependency on unpredictable weather patterns.
Transparency and accountability
To ensure transparency and accountability in managing the crisis response, a technical task force comprising development partners and officials from the Ministries of Finance and Food and Agriculture has been established.
This task force will oversee the distribution of relief items to guarantee fairness.
“We are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of these resources that we are mobilizing to respond to this crisis,” Dr. Acheampong affirmed.
Security measures
Minister for Defence Mr. Dominic Nitiwul assured the public that the government has intensified security measures along the country’s borders to prevent the smuggling or unauthorized export of grains.
This step is crucial in ensuring that grain supplies meant for domestic consumption remain within the country.
