Ghana temporarily halts grain exports as lack of rain hits crops

Ghana has temporarily banned the export of grains including maize, rice, and soybean to ensure domestic supply due to near-drought conditions that have disrupted crop production. The ban, implemented with immediate effect, is in response to erratic rainfall in north Ghana and is expected to be in place until the situation normalizes. The agriculture ministry plans to address the shortage through grain reserves of ECOWAS, grain imports, and private sector partnerships. The ministry also announced a series of interventions to support farmers and stated that the government plans to raise $500 million for food security interventions.

ACCRA, Ghana - Ghana on Monday temporarily banned the export of grains including maize, rice and soybean to ensure domestic supply as the West African nation grapples with near-drought conditions that have disrupted crop production, the agriculture ministry said on Monday. Rainfall in north Ghana has been erratic over the past two months and low compared to last year. The dry weather has hindered crop production in the world's second cocoa producer after Ivory Coast. Around 1.8 million hectares (4.45 million acres) of land are at risk, with farmers growing food on around half that area already impacted. Maize, rice, groundnut, soybean, sorghum, millet and yam are the worst hit. The affected regions account for around 62% of Ghana's annual grain supply, raising concern about a nationwide food shortage, the ministry said in a presentation. The export ban was implemented with immediate effect and will remain in place until the situation normalises. The ministry said it would plug the ...