Government is yet to state how it intends to intervene in the drought challenge facing the northern part of the country. The drought is so severe that stakeholder fear it could lead to new hikes in food prices and loss of farmers’ investments.
Rather Mr. Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), has been talking about what he calls proactive steps to address potential drought conditions across the country. He said among the measures being implemented is the construction of additional irrigation facilities nationwide to support year-round farming.
His statement is in response to the recent drought that severely impacted eight regions, including Eastern, North East, Bono East, Oti, Ahafo, Volta, Bono, and Ashanti, which are key contributors to the nation’s food supply. Dr. Acheampong emphasized the urgency of these measures, noting that if left unaddressed, the drought could lead to significant food shortages and insecurity.
During a working visit to the Bono East Region, the Minister assessed the damage caused by the drought, particularly in the Kintampo North, Kintampo South, Pru East, Pru West, Atebubu-Amantin, and Techiman North areas, which have suffered from erratic rainfall over the past three months. Mr. Acheampong explained that his visit aimed to gather first-hand information to guide the government in implementing effective, life-saving measures for the affected communities.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to agricultural initiatives and policies that would boost national food productivity, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG3). The Minister also visited several farms and offered his sympathies to the farmers who have been hardest hit by the drought.
Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the Minister of Finance, who accompanied Dr. Acheampong, highlighted the critical role of food in the country’s economic growth and development. He acknowledged that while the 2024 budget did not account for such unforeseen contingencies, the government would seek alternative funding to address the situation, as a food shortage could lead to heightened inflation.
Bono East Regional Minister, Mr. Kwasi Adu-Gyan, noted that the drought had been a significant concern for the affected communities and farmers, with large quantities of crops such as yam, maize, and rice destroyed.
Mr. Adu-Gyan urged the farmers in the region to remain calm as the government, along with its development partners, works on strategies to alleviate their challenges.
