Features
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FOOD SECURITY IN GHANA
Changes in climatic conditions are not a recent phenomenon and different epochs on the geological time scale show how climate change has led to the extinction of some plants and animals. The more recent Holocene epoch, also known as the ”Age of Man”, has seen worrying climatic changes including extreme warming and cooling and the extinction of some large mammals in many parts of the world.
Global climatic changes have not only caused the extinction of mammals, big and small, but in some instances, threatened the survival of plants and animals that serve as food sources for humans.In many ways, climate variability affect almost every sector in a country including health, agriculture and the economy. For most developing countries where reliance on agriculture is the bedrock for their survival, any occurrence that tends to negatively impact on that sector plunges their economies into crises andeventually, development tends to suffer. A major threat, moreover, of the unfolding changes in climatic conditions are the impact on a country’s food security.
Threats to food security is not only a consequence of the fast emerging Malthusian catastrophe, where food supply is unable to match the exponential growth in population size, but also, a direct consequence of climate change. In Ghana, like many African countries in the sub-Saharan region, the system of farming is heavily reliant on rainfall. Irrigation, an alternative source of water supply for crops in farms are virtually non-existent in many communities that serve as food basket for the countries. Consequently, any slight change in rainfall patterns has the potential of affecting annual yields. Such shot-falls create food shortages; with the little available only accessible by the rich.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO),“Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. Indeed, the impact of climate change is intrinsically interwoven with food security and this can be viewed from global to local levels considering the components of food systems.
Climate Change trends in Ghana
The trends show that Ghana has been experiencing climate changes over a substantial period of time. According to climate researchers, rainfall pattern in Ghana was mostly high in the 1960s but this decreased to low levels in the latter part of 1970s and early 1980s. This decline in rainfall patterns still prevails in recent times. A year period data also show that temperatures in all zones in Ghana are rising, and rainfall has been reducing and becoming increasingly erratic.
The impact of climate change is projected to be severe on Ghana, though there will be fluctuations in both annual temperatures and precipitation. According to a 2010 World Bankreport on Economics of Adaptation to Climate Change, Ghana will continue to experience rising temperature especially in the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions. Other parts of the country, however, are expected to experience very cold temperature.
Climate researchers have observed significant climatic variations in Ghana with their corresponding time periods. The period January–July 1976 and October–December 1989 is reported to have experienced very hot weather conditions with the period 1983–1984 experiencing severe droughts and a year-long bush fires. The years 1991, 2012 and 2013 experienced severe rains resulting in floods that destroyed properties running into millions of cedis with some persons losing their lives in the disaster.
Presently, Ghana has a high temperature with the average annual temperature ranging between 24 °C to 30 °C. In spite of this average annual temperature, there are instances where the temperature can be 18 °C and 40 °C in the southern and northern parts of Ghana, respectively. Rainfall in Ghana generally decreases from south to north. The wettest area in Ghana is the extreme southwest where annual rainfall is about 2000 mm. However, the annual rainfall in extreme north of Ghana is less than 1,100 mm.
The country has two main rainfall regimes which are the double maxima regime and the single maximum regime. In relation to the double maxima regime, the two maximum periods are from April to July and from September to November in Southern Ghana. While the single maximum regime is from May to October in Northern Ghana, this is followed by a long dry season from November to May. Over the years, the temperatures in all the ecological zones of Ghana are rising while rainfall levels have been generally reducing.
Climate Change and Food Security in Ghana
Climate change is likely to contribute substantially to food insecurity in the future, by increasing food prices, and reducing food production. Food may become more expensive as climate change mitigation efforts increase energy prices, water required for food production may become scarcer due to increased crop water use and drought and competition for land may increase as certain areas become climatically unsuitable for production. In addition, extreme weather events, associated with climate change may cause sudden reductions in agricultural productivity, leading to rapid price increases.
Food availability, access, stability and utilization are the key parametres for measuring food security situationsin any country. On all fronts, climate change is negatively impacting on agriculture and farmersare already adapting to rainfall variability and higher temperatures by shifting sowing dates and changing crop mix or plot location.
Food Availability
Food availability addresses the “supply side” of food security and is determined by the level of food production, stock levels and net trade. Climate change is making Africa become dependent on food imports and aid due to increasing environmental degradation of arable lands, low soil fertility, depletion of water bodies, high incidence of pests attacks and diseases that affect crops and livestock and decreased animal productivity from high temperatures.In Ghana, a reported $450m and $374m of rice and chicken respectively are imported annually into the country. Variability in rainfall patterns coupled with high temperature is causing changes ingrowing seasons for food crops resulting in lower agricultural yield. These factors are largely contributing to shortages in the national food basket and gradually causing glides instead of the expected gluts.
Food Access
An adequate supply of food at the national or international level does not in itself guarantee household level food security. Climate change has important implications for food distribution as it affects accessibility due to destruction of road, bridges and other infrastructure, and influences the functioning of markets and other social and economic institutions. Extreme weather events affect local production and therefore local income and accessibility to food. Quite a number of roads that lead to farm lands in Ghana are in deplorable state and this in effect affects the distribution of food stuff across the country. While food crops get spoilt on farm lands, many communities risk being cut off from the supply of food crops and for the few that get on the market, they are too expensive to be afforded by all.
Food Utilisation
Utilisation is commonly understood as the way the body makes the most of various nutrients in the food. Sufficient energy and nutrient intake by individuals is the result of good care and feeding practices, food preparation, and diversity of the diet and intra-household distribution of food. Combined with good biological utilisation of food consumed, this determines the nutritional status of individuals. Climate induced changes affect food diversity, causes increase in vector diseases of humans, and pests of livestock and crops and therefore affect food utilisation patterns.
Even if a country’s food intake is adequate today, they are still considered to be food insecure if they have inadequate access to food on a periodic basis, risking a deterioration of the country’s nutritional status. Adverse weather conditions, political instability, or economic factors (unemployment, rising food prices) may have an impact on a country’s food security status. Food stability is a direct consequence of food availability and access. However, extreme events, such as droughts, floods and high temperature tend to threaten the stability of food access and utilisation. Such factors that contribute to food insecurity are expected to become more frequent as a consequence of climate change leading to frequent temporary food shortages.
Mitigating the Impact of Climate Crises
Tackling climate change impacts on food security needs to be addressed with adequate resources and well thought-through policies. Key measures such as effective irrigation systems, a more scientific forecasting mechanism to aid farmers to plant crops in the right seasons, planting of climate resistant crops and protection of the environment through a more conscious and sustained policies will help mitigate the potential impact of climate crises on Ghana’s food security situation.
The writer is the Head of Department,
Mass Communication and Journalism,
BlueCrest University College.
By: Philip Acquaye
Indeed, numerous Ghanaians across the regions, all over Africa, and even people from other parts of the world were struck with sadness and grief upon hearing the sudden passing of the former First Lady of Ghana, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, which occurred on the black day of Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Very often, it is difficult to believe the death of very high-profile persons in our communities, country, and even across the world, as recently witnessed in the passing of this indefatigable leader.
Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was the better half of the indomitable former President of Ghana, His Excellency, the late Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, who ruled Ghana for a record period of 18 years.
His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, alongside his able men like Osahene Boakye Gyan, Akatapore, and other young army officers, shook the political foundations of this country for a brief period from June 4 to the end of September 1979. Following the general election, His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings handed over power to the late President, His Excellency Dr. Hilla Limann of the People’s National Convention (PNC), in a colorful national ceremony amidst pomp and pageantry.
Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and other colleagues in the Ghana Armed Forces, dissatisfied with the PNC Government’s administration—which was considered volatile at the time—staged another coup to topple the Limann Administration on December 31, 1981. After a successful dispensation, he reassumed the position of Head of State under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), remaining in power until 2000 when, following the general election, he handed over power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to former President His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
It is noteworthy that from the June 4 period of 1979, stretching up to the 2000 general election, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was very vocal in Ghana’s political administration.
Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings not only actively supported her husband to realize his political ambitions but also made a lasting impact across Ghana by tirelessly advocating for women’s emancipation in social, economic, and political spheres.
Consider her dynamic role in the formation of the 31st December Women’s Group. She established various food processing industries in multiple towns and villages to empower women economically.
There were countless other initiatives through which she encouraged and benefited not only women but also numerous families, enabling them to lead meaningful lives. For instance, the family home of Nene Kofi Opey-Fiagbor in Adjikpo-Amlakpo, Somanya, was highly privileged to welcome Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings anytime she visited.
On a Saturday in early January 1983, she visited to seek the hand of one of our beautiful sisters, Lucy Kpodjie, for Alex Dautey, who was then one of her husband’s military guards at the Castle in Osu-Accra. How can we, as a family, ever forget such a diligent, graceful, and distinguished person like her in our memories?
Your Excellency, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, your loss is deeply felt and irreplaceable for Mother Ghana. We all join the Rawlings immediate family in Accra, the people of Asanteman, the Keta people of her late husband, and the National Democratic Congress, which she helped found, alongside the President and Government of Ghana, to mourn this loss.
To a highly beloved and illustrious daughter of Ghana: may Mother Earth lie lightly upon your body as your precious soul rests in perfect peace in the bosom of the Good Lord, until the resurrection day when we shall all meet again. Fare thee well!
DAMIRIFA DUE! DUENI AMANEHUNU!
By J. K. Tetteh Kpodjie
Concerned Citizen
Somanya
0557672086
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Sometime ago, money-doubling used to be a very lucrative trade for people who had the skill. But it all depended on the availability of street-lights, which were used as accessories in the money-doubling schemes. The more street-lights that were available, the more likely it was that money would be doubled.
Money has indeed been doubled for people—civil servants, pastors, journalists, and diplomats. People suspected of being naive and carrying cash were conned into believing their money could be doubled without chanting. All they had to do was place their money under a ‘sacred’ stone, then walk in a certain direction, counting ten street-lights in the process without looking back.
“If you look back, you’ll go mad, wallahi!” they were warned, to ensure obedience. After counting the ten street-lights, participants were told to return and collect their doubled money under the ‘divine’ stone with jubilation. And for a moment, it seemed real—the cash appeared doubled. The problem, of course, was that the entire sum was nothing but newspaper cut to fit the currency size. At first, victims would be amazed, thinking they were hallucinating, only to frantically realize the trick. Meanwhile, the money-doublers would vanish miles away with the real cash.
In this era, money-doubling schemes often occur around payday, when people have just received their salaries. Those with ¢80,000 in hand could be tempted with the promise of returning home with ¢160,000. But in reality, many end up empty-handed, learning the harsh lesson of the financial culture of today.
Not long ago, Edward Alomele, who claims he is “Original Alor,” collected his pay and walked leisurely home, planning to celebrate. A wayside lottery operator noticed his bulging back pocket and thought he could easily trick him into handing over the money. But Alor was no amateur when it came to finance.
The lottery man pointed to a display of consumer items—televisions, sound systems, cookers, water heaters—and explained the game. Alor tried a sample ticket and “won” a colour television instantly. However, since he hadn’t staked money, he was told he needed to hand over his pay to claim the prize. Alor, sensing the scam, studied the man’s reaction carefully.
He deliberately wore mismatched footwear—one red canvas shoe and one green—to signal that he was not an easy target. The lottery operator realized his mistake, apologized, and acknowledged that Alor was not a naive newcomer.
Despite widespread reporting on these scams, hundreds of people fall victim every week, losing a significant portion of their salaries. Many prefer to remain silent, ashamed of having been deceived. Some notable individuals, like Devine Ankamah, have managed to dodge these traps through vigilance and experience, but the majority remain vulnerable.
Even pastors and other respected members of society have been duped by money-doublers, proving that awareness alone is often not enough. As Merari Alomele notes, “When shall we ever learn?”
This article was first published on Saturday, August 5, 1995.
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
