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Seasonal patterns of severe food shortages vary by region in Ghana
Author(s) -
Marquis Grace S,
Harding Kimberly,
Colecraft Esi K,
Fox Melissa,
SakyiDawson Owuraku
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a311-a
Subject(s) - economic shortage , geography , food security , socioeconomics , food shortage , locale (computer software) , agriculture , rural area , ecology , medicine , economics , linguistics , philosophy , government (linguistics) , biology , archaeology , pathology , computer science , operating system
Agriculture‐dependent populations often experience seasonal food insecurity. The perception of severe food shortages was documented in 6 rural and 6 semi‐rural communities in 3 regions of Ghana. Data were collected through interview‐administered questionnaires with 845 households. There were significant regional differences in the reported pattern of severe household food shortages (p<0.05). Northern communities reported a pattern that was moderately high throughout the year, around 15% of households, and a peak in May. Mid‐country communities showed consistently high shortages, around 40%, with little monthly variation. The coastal communities reported little to no food shortages from August through February with a sharp peak in May to June. There were significant differences between rural and semi‐rural communities. Prevalence of food shortages was higher for semi‐rural communities in the North and Coast during the peak months (p<0.05), but higher in the rural North in November and December (p<0.05). Understanding regional and locale differences that influence access to food is essential to enhancing food security in Ghana. Support was through GL‐CRSP, funded in part by USAID, Grant # PCE‐G‐00‐98‐00036‐00, and a CIHR grant to Harding.