World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

The overall objectives of this study was to assess markets in the Northern Regions (Tamale, WaleWale), the Upper East Region (Bolgatanga), and the Upper West Region (Wa) in order to provide WFP Ghana with the necessary information on whether a cash/voucher transfer could be implemented. The selected markets are located in the targeted areas and are supposed to be the main accessible markets to the targeted households

This bulletin provides information on price changes for the most commonly consumed staples and their potential impacts on the cost of the basic food basket.

Atypical drought conditions in the US causes wheat, maize and soya prices to soar (figure 1). According to data record-ed by the World Bank in July 2012, wheat increased by 50%, maize by 45% and soya by 30% since mid-June 2012. By contrast, rice prices remained stable until July 2012. Compared to the 5-year average, maize, soya and wheat increased by 59%, 44% and 31%, respectively, and rice increased only by 8%. A new bullish phase in inter-national markets could impact regional markets and the food access of West African households already affected by the current nutrition and food crisis.

The assessment relies on secondary data from national market information systems. Primary  data collection took place in May 2012 in a total of  42 markets in Burkina Faso (14 markets), Cote d’Ivoire (7 markets), Ghana (3 markets), Mali (15 markets) and Togo (3 markets).  Data collection tools included a market questionnaire, a trader questionnaire and a transporter questionnaire. Primary data collection did not take place in northern Mali due to insecurity.

The countries covered by the study include Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal. Fieldwork took place from May to December 2010.The study is based on analysis of secondary data from national market information systems. Meetings took place with producers, consumers, traders, and technical staff. Debriefing meetings took place with key stakeholders in the different countries.

This case study is conducted to provide an update on the effects of the global economic crisis in Ghana, as a follow-up of the rapid assessment undertaken in April 2009 . It aims at understanding how households are currently coping with the effects of the global financial crisis at a time when global economic growth is firming up.

The direct impact of the global economic and financial crisis on households in Ghana, as of April 2009, is small but potentially large. According to the report, The most vulnerable households are smallholder farmers, particularly in the north.

This bulletin provides members of the regional-level Food Security and Nutrition and decision-makers in West Africa with an overview of the food security situation, including the impliaction of international and sub-regional market trends. On West African ma

Analysis was set to identify missing or poor information on national markets , cross-border trade and variables underlying the pricing of products needed to food security of the Sahel.