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Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President of IMANI Africa, has called on the government to urgently address the ongoing drought in Northern Ghana, emphasizing that the nation’s economy and people are too fragile to withstand another avoidable crisis. While acknowledging the efforts of the Ministers of Agriculture, Finance, and Defence in managing the situation, Cudjoe stressed the need for more proactive measures.
He expressed his concerns via a Facebook post, stating, “Good morning, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. There are reports of looming food shortages up north due to poor rains. May we be spared the harshest effects of this looming food crisis. The Ministers of Agriculture, Finance, and Defence are doing well to contain the situation. However, we should work harder to reduce our dependence on rain and build adequate storage for times like this. The economy and its inhabitants are too frail to take on another avoidable phenomenon.”
Cudjoe also reminded Vice President Bawumia of the 1 Village-1 Dam initiative, which was promoted as a key strategy to enhance irrigation systems in the region. “Anyway, Dr. Bawumia, I recall you aggressively led the campaign for 1 Village-1 Dam as the best strategy to augment existing irrigation systems. And billions of money were poured into these dams. May I know the status of these dams? When are we expecting them to kick in and help?” he questioned.
In response to the food security concerns, the government has assured the public that it is taking decisive steps to safeguard the nation’s food supply. Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam revealed that the government plans to raise $500 million (approximately GHS 8 billion) to support food security interventions through a combination of funds from the Contingency Fund, Budget Realignment, and Development Partner Funding.
“The people affected by drought are not determined by party colours. Hunger knows no political affiliation. We have put in place stringent measures to ensure that these resources are distributed equitably to farmers most in need, throughout the country,” Dr. Adam stated.
He further emphasized the seriousness of the situation, saying, “Our response may not entirely neutralize the extent of the problem. But our response certainly will help in stabilizing the situation until we get out of the crisis. And so, as the Honourable Minister for Food and Agriculture said, we are seeking to raise about 500 million U.S. dollars, the equivalent of 8 billion Ghana Cedis, to fund the crisis response programme.”
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