Dr Alhassan Iddrisu Warns Ghanaians of Possible Food Shortages and Rising Prices From El Niño

Ghanaians have been warned to prepare for possible food shortages, rising commodity prices and electricity supply challenges as the country faces the potential effects of a developing El Niño weather phenomenon.

Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu has cautioned that changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures could negatively affect agricultural production, hydropower generation and international supply chains, potentially creating additional economic difficulties for households and businesses.

According to him, inadequate rainfall during the farming season could reduce crop yields, weaken domestic food supply and eventually push up the prices of essential commodities.

Speaking after the release of Ghana’s October 2026 inflation figures, Dr Iddrisu explained that the country must take weather forecasts seriously and incorporate them into economic planning to minimise the possible consequences.

He warned that if farmers do not receive sufficient rainfall during the growing season, agricultural production could suffer, resulting in shortages that may affect consumers.

“If, for example, it affects rainfall and we don’t get enough rain, that’s likely to affect food supply and all other things being equal. If there are shortages in food supply, that can affect food prices,” he cautioned.

Beyond agriculture, the Government Statistician identified Ghana’s dependence on hydropower as another major area of concern.

He explained that prolonged dry conditions could affect water levels and inflows into the Akosombo Dam and other reservoirs, potentially reducing the amount of electricity generated.

Any reduction in hydropower generation could affect businesses and industries that depend on reliable electricity to operate. Increased production costs could subsequently be passed on to consumers through higher prices of goods and services.

Dr Iddrisu also warned that Ghana could experience additional pressure from international markets if El Niño disrupts agricultural production in countries supplying the country with imported food and other commodities.

He noted that adverse weather conditions in parts of Asia and other exporting regions could affect global supplies and increase import costs.

Cocoa production is another area he believes could be affected by the anticipated weather conditions, particularly because of the crop’s sensitivity to changes in rainfall and temperature.

“I must also say that usually it affects cocoa a lot. And when it affects cocoa, it affects cocoa prices,” he added.

His warning comes as the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has identified a developing very strong El Niño event, with November 2026 to April 2027 expected to be a particularly important period for Ghana.

The agency has projected hotter and drier conditions across several parts of the country, alongside possible water stress, bushfires and increased dust.

GMet has consequently recommended coordinated government interventions, including the provision of drought-tolerant seeds, expansion of irrigation facilities and strengthening of national food reserves.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is developing a response strategy to minimise the potential effects of the weather phenomenon on agricultural production and farmers’ livelihoods.

Dr Iddrisu has urged policymakers to act early rather than wait for the anticipated challenges to materialise, stressing the importance of using available meteorological forecasts to guide economic decisions.

“The most important thing is that we should recognise that this has been forecasted by Meteo and then we have to take the projections or forecasts and feed them into the analysis that we do,” he stated.