Source: Modern Ghana
In Ghana’s Volta Region, where lush farmlands once thrived, climate change has become an existential threat to agricultural communities. The story of Edem Akuaku, a young farmer with 198 acres of crops, and Dofui, a 59-year-old disabled mother of four, encapsulates the human toll of this unfolding disaster. Their struggles reveal what scientists warn could become widespread across Africa if climate adaptation measures aren’t implemented urgently.
The Devastation on the Ground
Edem’s once-prosperous 90-acre maize field now lies barren, the plants withered under unrelenting sun. His additional 108 acres of pineapple and rice face similar devastation. “The land has cracks wide enough to swallow my hand,” he says, demonstrating how the drought has transformed the once-fertile soil into a parched wasteland. His livestock—cattle, goats, and pigs—now survive on expensive imported feed as natural grazing vanishes.
For Dofui, the crisis hits even harder. Her 5-acre maize field, previously enough to sustain her family, has completely failed. “I’ve farmed this land for 30 years and never seen such dryness,” she says, crumbling dead maize stalks in her hands. Without crops to sell, she can’t afford pesticides or fertilizer for next season, trapping her in a vicious cycle of poverty.
The Science Behind the Suffering
Agricultural experts confirm what these farmers experience daily. Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns have made traditional farming calendars obsolete. Maize, a staple crop, is particularly vulnerable—heat during flowering reduces kernel formation by up to 80% in severe cases. Rice paddies, dependent on consistent water, now crack open like broken pottery.
The Volta Region’s average temperature has increased 1.8°C since 1960, while rainfall decreased 20% over the same period. These changes align with IPCC projections showing West Africa as a climate hotspot. “What we’re seeing isn’t just bad luck—it’s the new normal,” says Dr. Kwame Asare, an agricultural climatologist at the University of Ghana.
Cascading Consequences
The damage extends far beyond individual farms:
- Food Prices Skyrocket: Local maize prices have surged up to 300% in drought years, making basic nutrition unaffordable for many families.
- Rural Exodus Accelerates: Young people abandon farming for cities, straining urban infrastructure and eroding traditional agricultural knowledge.
- Health Crises Emerge: Malnutrition rates in farming communities have doubled since 2020, with children showing stunted growth at alarming rates.
- Debt Spirals: Farmers take loans for seeds and inputs, then lose everything when crops fail. Edem now owes $8,000—an insurmountable sum without harvest income.
A Future Without Intervention
If current trends continue, modeling suggests catastrophic outcomes:
- By 2030: Projections from FAO show Ghana could lose 15-25% of its maize production capacity, forcing reliance on expensive imports.
- By 2040: The Volta Region may become unsuitable for rain-fed agriculture entirely, displacing millions.
- Economic Impact: Agriculture employs 55% of Ghana’s workforce. Its collapse would trigger nationwide recession.
“The scary part isn’t just losing crops—it’s losing entire communities,” warns Dr. Ama Boateng, a food security specialist. “When people can’t farm, they can’t eat, can’t earn, and ultimately can’t stay where their families have lived for generations.”
Glimmers of Hope Amid the Crisis
Some farmers adapt through necessity. Edem experiments with small rainwater catchment systems, while Dofui explores drought-resistant sorghum varieties. But their piecemeal efforts pale against the scale of the challenge.
Government programs exist but reach few. The “Planting for Food and Jobs” initiative promised climate-smart solutions, yet only 12% of Akatsi South farmers received support last year. “We hear about help coming, but it never arrives here,” Dofui says bitterly.
As the sun sets over another scorched field, Edem voices a plea echoing across Ghana’s farmlands: “Tell the world we’re not just fighting for our crops—we’re fighting for our survival.” The coming years will determine whether that fight can be won.