George Martey Okorley, Faith and Development Coordinator for World Vision Ghana has warned that Ghanaians should brace for rising food prices as climate change continues to threaten agriculture and food production.
Speaking at a climate workshop organized by World Vision Ghana at Sunlodge Hotel, he highlighted how rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and deforestation are disrupting farming, leading to lower crop yields and increasing food costs.
Ghana’s temperature has already increased by 1.2°C over the past century and is projected to rise between 1.5°C and 3.0°C by 2050. Meanwhile, rainfall has declined by 2.32 mm per decade since the 1960s, reducing water availability for farming. These environmental changes are making food production more difficult, forcing prices higher.
“The effects of climate change on agriculture are becoming more severe. We are witnessing unpredictable weather patterns, longer dry seasons, and declining soil fertility, all of which are reducing crop yields. If immediate action is not taken, food prices will continue to rise, putting more pressure on Ghanaian households,” Martey stated.
Deforestation is another major contributor to the crisis. Ghana loses approximately 135,000 hectares of forest annually, with 19% of tree cover already gone. Trees play a vital role in maintaining soil fertility and regulating water cycles, and their loss is worsening climate impacts on farming.
Additionally, sea levels are rising by 3.1 mm per year, leading to coastal erosion and affecting fishing communities. By 2050, there could be more plastics than fish in the ocean, further threatening Ghana’s food supply.
Experts at the workshop stressed the need for urgent measures to protect food security. Martey urged policymakers, farmers, and stakeholders to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, such as irrigation systems, drought-resistant crops, and reforestation efforts. Without immediate action, Ghana’s food crisis could worsen, pushing more people into hardship.
The World Vision Ghana workshop continues tomorrow, with further discussions on strategies to mitigate climate change’s impact on food production and ensure a sustainable future.