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1983 famine in Ghana

Background and Details of the Disaster

The 1983 famine in Ghana, one of the most severe crises in the nation's history, stemmed from a confluence of drought, economic difficulties, and political turmoil. In the early 1980s, Ghana endured a significant drought that severely diminished crop production, constraining food supplies and resulting in widespread malnutrition and hunger^[1]. This drought spell coincided with the nation's most devastating bushfires, which obliterated extensive areas of cropland. The fires, intensified by the drought, caused substantial losses in crops and livestock, leading families into severe food crisis^[2].

Alongside environmental reasons, Ghana encountered economic difficulties, such as elevated inflation, diminished agricultural production, and increasing unemployment. The problem was exacerbated by the repatriation of over one million Ghanaians expelled from Nigeria in 1983, who returned to discover already limited food resources^[3]. The cumulative demands stretched the nation's food supply networks, leaving millions unable to satisfy their fundamental nutritional requirements. As hunger intensified, the government pursued foreign assistance, and the world community offered aid. The famine emphasised the weaknesses in Ghana's agricultural and economic sectors, revealing the necessity for structural reforms to avert future disasters^[1]

Geographical and Physical Impact

Local and International Responses

Local Responses

Ghana has experienced significant food shortages and famines, particularly in the northern regions, due to a combination of climatic, economic, and political factors. Local responses to these crises have been multifaceted, encompassing community-based initiatives and government efforts. Traditional practices, such as food sharing and communal farming, have been crucial for immediate relief. ^[4]

Additionally, local NGOs and community organizations have played a vital role in distributing food aid and providing support to vulnerable populations. These organizations often work closely with traditional leaders and community members to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most. The Ghanaian government has also implemented various relief programs, such as the Operation Feed Yourself (OFY) campaign in the 1970s, aimed at boosting local food production ^[5]. This campaign encouraged self-reliance and local initiative in food production, which helped to alleviate some of the immediate pressures of food shortages. Infrastructure development, including the construction of roads and irrigation systems, has been prioritized to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses. ^[4] Economic policies, such as price controls and subsidies for fertilizers and seeds, have been employed to make food more affordable and to support small farmers.

International Responses

International responses to famine in Ghana have been equally multifaceted, involving humanitarian aid, technical assistance, and policy advice. International organizations like the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have provided emergency food aid during severe shortages ^[6]. These organizations have played a crucial role in delivering food to affected regions, often working in partnership with local authorities and community organizations to ensure effective distribution. Technical assistance has included agricultural training and collaborative research projects focused on developing drought-resistant crops and improving soil fertility ^[7]. International experts have provided training to local farmers in modern agricultural techniques and best practices, helping to build capacity and resilience in the agricultural sector. Policy advice from international bodies has emphasized economic reforms to improve food security, such as liberalizing trade and reducing government intervention in the market ^[5]. Support has also been provided to strengthen local institutions responsible for monitoring and responding to food crises such as the WFP has worked with the Ghanaian government to establish early warning systems and improve disaster preparedness ^[6].

Challenges and Limitations

Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain. Coordination issues, such as fragmented efforts and lack of integration between local and international initiatives, lead to inefficiencies and resource duplication ^[6]. Political and economic constraints, including corruption and economic instability, have hindered the effective distribution of aid and resources ^[7]. Environmental factors, such as persistent droughts and soil degradation, continue to pose challenges to agricultural productivity^[4].

To effectively address food insecurity, a more integrated and sustainable approach is needed, combining local knowledge with international expertise and resources. This holistic strategy can ensure that both immediate relief and long-term development are achieved.

Short-term and Long-term Health Consequences

The 1983 famine in Ghana was a crisis driven by severe drought, leading to a massive food supply deficit and a devastating decrease in nutritional consumption, which affected the population both short-term and long-term.

Short-term health consequences

The immediate consequence of the famine was malnutrition, as caused by severe food shortages. During that time, about 40% of their food supply were destroyed.^[8] Around 1.5 million suffered from malnutrition, anaemia and kwashiorkor, particularly among children.^[9] According to reports from 1986 and 1989, children who were affected by the drought had lower weight for their age-group.^[1]

Water has also been a problem, as the amount of rainfall dropped, leading to a decrease in supply for household use and consumption^[10], which consequently lead to an increase in water-borne diseases.^[8]^[10]

The famine also affected essential services- schools were closed, and hospitals refused to admit patients if their family could not provide them with food.^[9]

There are no records on the effect of the famine on psychosocial health of the Ghanaians in 1983. However, based on a systematic review of seven relatively recent studies (2012-2020), of which six were from Ghana- exposure to famine is associated with increased mental health problems.^[11]

Mortality rate from the 1983 famine in Ghana are not available, however estimates from the World Bank between 1960 and 2022, reported the highest under-five mortality in 1984, at 90,497 deaths. ^[12]

Long-term health consequences

The effect of the famine still persists, long after it started. However, only few articles have explored its long term effects.

Early exposure to malnutrition, especially on the first 2 years of life, has negative impact on learning.^[13] Those were around 0-2 years old during the height of the famine are noted to perform poorer on cognitive achievement tests.^[13]However, while these data have been controlled for multiple factors, some confounding factors, like physical and mental health, have not been accounted for which might have affected the results.

Exposure to famine also affect the physical characteristics of the victims.^[1] Stunting rates were high among children immediately after the height of the famine.^[1] This effect was thought to persist in the long term, as it is was noted from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in 2003, that women born during the peak of the famine are more than likely to be abnormally short.^[1] However, it should be noted that these data are based on calculations from 2 different time points, and that no data were collected specific to those affected of the 1983 famine.

A similar study proposed that this effect in anthropometric measurements is intergenerational. It was noted that children born of mothers who survived the famine have lower weight and height.^[8] Using the data from Ghana’s DHS conducted in 2014, 2016, and 2019, it was found out that children of women born during the famine period, have lower weight and height compared to children whosem mothers were born after.^[8] Similar to the previous study, these findings are based on calculations. Also, the authors have acknowledged that they were unable to control for all factors that could influence child health.

Lessons Emerged from this Disaster

The 1983 famine in Ghana brought to light several key lessons that have since informed policies on disaster preparedness, food security, and resilience in Ghana and across similar nations.

Significance of Diversified Agriculture

A crucial lesson from the 1983 famine was the necessity for diversified agricultural techniques. Ghana's dependence on a narrow range of primary crops, such as maize and cassava, rendered it exceedingly susceptible to climatic fluctuations and droughts.^[14] ^[15]Since that time, there has been an initiative to diversify crops and advocate for drought-resistant varieties capable of enduring severe environmental conditions.^[16]This strategy seeks to safeguard food supply from severe weather occurrences, hence diminishing the probability of food shortages.^[17]Crop diversification efforts in West Africa have shown promise in reducing food insecurity and environmental vulnerability^[18], a valuable approach Ghana continues to pursue.

Resilience through Sustainable Farming Practices

The crisis showed the necessity for sustainable agricultural practices that preserve soil fertility and protect water resources. In later decades, practices such as crop rotation, intercropping, and agroforestry have been advocated to enhance soil health and water retention, which are critical under drought conditions.^[1]^[15]These approaches enhance overall ecosystem health, reducing the likelihood of future agricultural crises stemming from environmental degradation.^[17]

Investment in Food Storage and Distribution Infrastructure

The famine was intensified by inadequate infrastructure for the effective storage and distribution of food. Crops were vulnerable to rotting, and the absence of dependable distribution channels impeded relief operations.^[2]^[14]Consequently, Ghana has invested in grain silos, storage facilities, and transportation networks to guarantee the preservation and distribution of food amid unfavourable conditions. ^[9]The establishment of this infrastructure facilitates more efficient responses to impending food shortages, guaranteeing food accessibility for at-risk communities.

Early Warning Systems and Data Collection

The famine underscored the necessity for early warning systems to detect and alleviate food shortages before they develop into critical crises.^[1]Ghana has established mechanisms to monitor precipitation patterns, agricultural health, and food prices, which act as indicators of possible food insecurity.^[16] Improved data collection and analysis facilitate prompt government responses, enabling officials to proactively address future crises and reduce their impact on impacted communities.

Significance of International Assistance and Policy Reform

The famine illustrated the significance of international assistance in addressing large-scale disasters, as Ghana obtained considerable food aid from foreign governments and international organisations.^[9] Nonetheless, dependence on external assistance has been critically examined, leading to demands for policy reforms that prioritise indigenous strategies for food security.^[15] Policy changes have encompassed support for local farmers, subsidies for vital crops, and initiatives designed to improve agricultural output, all of which contribute to strengthening internal resilience.^[1]^[19]

Population Management and Social Support Systems

The famine illustrated the strain that rapid demographic changes may place on resources, particularly as Ghana faced the unforeseen repatriation of one million citizens during the crisis.^[2]This experience has highlighted the significance of population control strategies and social support systems capable of accommodating abrupt demographic changes.^[1]Investments in social safety nets, including food assistance programs and healthcare services, save vulnerable populations during crises, thereby diminishing the probability of extensive suffering.^[17]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Tan, C. M. & Rockmore, M. (2019) ‘Famine in Ghana and Its Impact’, in Handbook of Famine, Starvation, and Nutrient Deprivation. [Online]. Cham: Springer International Publishing. pp. 31–45.
^ ^a ^b ^c Dei, G. J. S. (1988) Coping with the effects of the 1982-83 drought in Ghana The view from the village. Africa development. 13 (1), 107–122.
^ United States Agency for International Development (1982). GHANA -Food Shortage. [online] USAID. Available at: https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PBAAB318.pdf [Accessed 10 Nov. 2024].
^ ^a ^b ^c Weiss, H. (2003). Crop Failures, Food Shortages and Colonial Famine Relief Policies in the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast. Ghana Studies, Volume 6, pp. 5-58. University of Wisconsin Press.
^ ^a ^b . The Political Economy of Food in Ghana. In Comparative Cases.
^ ^a ^b ^c Borton, J., & Clay, E. (1986). The African Food Crisis of 1982-1986. Disasters, 10(4), 297-312.
^ ^a ^b Joachim, von B., Tesfaye, T., & Patrick, W. (1999). Famine in africa: Causes, responses, and prevention. Intl Food Policy Res Inst
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Adabor, O. (2024). Essays on Child Health in Ghana (Doctoral dissertation, RMIT University Australia). Cite error: The named reference "ADA2024" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d United States Agency for International Development (1982). GHANA - Food Shortage. [online] USAID. Available at: [1](https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PBAAB318.pdf) [Accessed 30 Oct. 2024].
^ ^a ^b Dei, G. J. S. (1988) Coping with the effects of the 1982-83 drought in Ghana The view from the village. Africa development. 13 (1), 107–122.
^ Ae-Ngibise, K.A., Asare-Doku, W., Peprah, J., Mujtaba, M.N., Nifasha, D. and Donnir, G.M., (2021). The mental health outcomes of food insecurity and insufficiency in West Africa: a systematic narrative review. Behavioral Sciences, 11(11), p.146.
^ World Bank Open Data (2024). World Bank Open Data. [online] Available at: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.DTH.MORT?locations=GH [Accessed 10 Nov. 2024].
^ ^a ^b Ampaabeng, S.K. and Tan, C.M., (2013). The long-term cognitive consequences of early childhood malnutrition: the case of famine in Ghana. Journal of health economics, 32(6), pp.1013-1027.
^ ^a ^b Ewusi, K. (1986). The Impact of the 1983-1984 Drought on Rural Ghana. African Development, 11(1), 97-109.
^ ^a ^b ^c Wiggins, S., & Leturque, H. (2011). Ghana's Sustained Agricultural Growth: Putting Underused Resources to Work.Development Policy Review, 29(2), 89-106.
^ ^a ^b Kleeman, L., & Abdulai, A. (2013). Agricultural Households' Adaptation to Climate Change in Rural Ghana: A Case Study. Agricultural Economics, 44(6), 621-638.
^ ^a ^b ^c Blein, R., Bwalya, M., Chimatiro, S., Faivre-Dupaigre, B., & Kisira, S. (2013). Agricultural Policy in Africa: Analysis and Perspective for 2013. NEPAD.
^ Zakari, S., Ying, L., & Song, B. (2014). Factors Influencing Household Food Security in West Africa: The Case of Southern Niger. Sustainability, 6(3), 1191-1202.
^ Zakari, S., Ying, L., & Song, B. (2014). Factors Influencing Household Food Security in West Africa: The Case of Southern Niger. Sustainability, 6(3), 1191-1202.

External Links

[USAID Report on the Ghana Food Shortage](https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PBAAB318.pdf)
[World Food Programme Ghana](https://www.wfp.org/countries/ghana)
[FAO Initiatives in Ghana](http://www.fao.org/ghana)

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