Ghana's food production outlook remains vulnerable to flooding, erratic rainfall, and seasonal supply pressures. Commercial farmer Edward Kareweh warned that consumers might not see expected price relief during the harvest season. He made these remarks on Thursday during the PM Express Business Edition on JoyNews.
Current food price increases are partly due to Ghana's traditional lean season when supplies are low before major harvests. This natural reduction in market availability causes prices to rise. However, Mr. Kareweh cautioned that prices for commodities driving recent inflation might not drop quickly, especially if heavy rains disrupt farming activities.
This situation fits into Ghana's broader economic narrative of persistent food inflation and supply chain weaknesses. The Bank of Ghana has frequently cited food prices as a key driver of overall inflation. Data shows food inflation significantly impacts household budgets across the country.
Mr. Kareweh specifically identified charcoal and tomatoes as critical pressure points. Recent inflation data indicates charcoal is a major contributor to national inflation. Tomato prices are highly sensitive to rainfall conditions and supply disruptions.
He explained that charcoal production typically slows during the rainy season because many producers return to farming. Wet conditions also make charcoal production more difficult. This seasonal shift could keep supply low and prices high.
“When the rainy season intensifies, charcoal production drops significantly,” Mr. Kareweh stated. “So there is uncertainty about whether supply can improve enough to reduce prices.”
He also questioned whether tomato prices would stabilize quickly. Vegetable production, he noted, is particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall and flooding. “Too much rain does not favour vegetable production,” he said. “Tomatoes especially are highly vulnerable during heavy rainfall periods.”
His comments highlight the fragility of Ghana's food supply system. Seasonal production patterns, weak storage infrastructure, and climate shocks often combine to create sharp price movements. These factors increase costs for Ghanaian consumers.
Flooding, Mr. Kareweh emphasized, is one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity. Excessive water damages crops, weakens soil, and washes away fertilizers. The impact is often most severe during early planting stages when crops are fragile. “Flooding destroys crops at the early growth stage,” he observed. “Even when the rains stop, the damage has already been done.”
Persistent rains can also reduce crop yields by limiting farmers’ ability to control weeds. If farms become inaccessible, weeds spread quickly. They compete with crops for nutrients, sunlight, and moisture. This weakens productivity, especially for farmers relying on manual labor without modern weed control.
Mr. Kareweh urged policymakers to focus on rainfall distribution and intensity, not just total rainfall. “You can receive all the rainfall within a few hours and it becomes destructive,” he explained. “The same amount spread over several days may actually support production.” He noted that national food projections often overlook these crucial distinctions.
He warned that continued flooding could also threaten post-harvest handling and storage in rural communities. Undeveloped storage systems often force farmers to sell immediately, risking losses. This can deepen food price volatility, especially following production losses.
Mr. Kareweh called for stronger climate adaptation measures, improved drainage systems, and better direct farmer support. These steps are crucial to reduce weather-related disruptions. He argued Ghana must treat climate risk as a central food security issue, not just an emergency. This requires better planning, stronger extension services, improved early warning systems, and practical interventions for farmers.