Northern Ghana Drought Puts Economy at Risk – Amin Adam

Accra, Ghana - The Minister of Finance, Dr. Amin Adam has sounded the alarm on the devastating impact of the ongoing drought on the agricultural sector, warning of its far-reaching consequences for Ghana's economy.

In a press conference held in Accra on Monday, Dr. Adam expressed deep concerns about the severe drought affecting Northern Ghana, which has left thousands of farmers facing food insecurity and livelihood threats. The region's two-month dry spell has stunted crop growth, dashing hopes for a successful harvest.

The Finance Minister emphasized that the drought's impact extends beyond farmers, also affecting those responsible for managing the economy. "Our hopes of achieving higher economic growth have been dashed by the drought," he stated.

“Investments have been lost, and even with the rains that we’re experiencing now, the rains may not be enough to support maturity of crops. Usually, in the Northern part of Ghana, by this time, new maize is on the market. If we go to the markets in Tamale, you will not find a bag of maize, prices are also going up.

“And so, for those of us in charge of the management of the economy, we’re directly affected from different perspectives. Number one: Our focus as a government [after] having stabilised the economy, and we’re seeing the micro fundamentals improving day by day. We decided that we would focus on economic growth and we saw the numbers.