A severe drought has struck Northern Ghana, leaving thousands of farmers worried about food security and their livelihoods. The region has experienced an extended dry spell, with no rain for over two months, stunting crop growth and dashing hopes for a successful harvest.
Farmers have recorded huge losses, with staple crops like rice, maize, groundnuts, and millet withering due to the lack of rainfall. The prolonged drought has led to a sharp drop in food production, raising concerns about a potential food shortage and looming famine.
Some farmers fear it may be too late to reverse the damage caused by the drought, even if rains come in the near future. One farmer expressed hopelessness, stating, “We would have harvested a long time ago if there had been rain… This is a disaster for us.”
Alhaji Mashoud Mohammed, the 2021 National Best Farmer, attributed the drought’s impact on his operations to climate change. Mohammed owns over 3,000 acres of farmland and is struggling to plant crops due to the drought, doubting he will make profits this season.
The drought has affected over 1,333 acres of maize fields and 2,170 acres of rice, soya bean, and sorghum, with planting still pending due to lack of rain. The situation is dire, with farmers calling for urgent action to address the drought and prevent a food crisis in Northern Ghana.
