Food shortage hits Upper West region

..If food aid is slow, there will be starvation
The Upper West Region is experiencing food shortage. The Regional Minister Ambrose Derry has confirmed this situation to the local radio station JoyFM.

The Member of Parliament for Lawra Nandom, Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor had earlier asserted that the region was experiencing acute food shortage.

According to the Regional Minister Ambrose Derry, the situation is as a result of poor yields this farming season, which has ostensibly affected the food situation in the area.

He told that analysts have predicted that the food shortage situation could worsen next year if nothing was done about it.

?The problem has been aggravated by the poor yields and in some cases total failure of the cowpea crop which maturing stage gives some respite in this region.

As it is now the process for the harvest for this year is not good enough. This season is normally the lean season of the region but the magnitude of the problem today, I?m not sure is what happens every year. Signs are that next year could be the same if not worse,? he said.

The Regional Minister said he sent a warning signal some three months ago following which the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority provided some bags of rice to augment supply.

He however denied that people are dying as a result of the situation.

?We could see some Reponses so far. As I speak to you, we are in the process of moving bags of rice donated in response to the call that I made to GHAPOHA and that division is on course as at now. But I am not aware in this region that some body has died out of starvation, but I believe that if you are sick and you are hungry, I believe the situation could be worse?? he said.

..If food aid is slow, there will be starvation
The Upper West Region is experiencing food shortage. The Regional Minister Ambrose Derry has confirmed this situation to the local radio station JoyFM.

The Member of Parliament for Lawra Nandom, Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor had earlier asserted that the region was experiencing acute food shortage.

According to the Regional Minister Ambrose Derry, the situation is as a result of poor yields this farming season, which has ostensibly affected the food situation in the area.

He told that analysts have predicted that the food shortage situation could worsen next year if nothing was done about it.

?The problem has been aggravated by the poor yields and in some cases total failure of the cowpea crop which maturing stage gives some respite in this region.

As it is now the process for the harvest for this year is not good enough. This season is normally the lean season of the region but the magnitude of the problem today, I?m not sure is what happens every year. Signs are that next year could be the same if not worse,? he said.

The Regional Minister said he sent a warning signal some three months ago following which the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority provided some bags of rice to augment supply.

He however denied that people are dying as a result of the situation.

?We could see some Reponses so far. As I speak to you, we are in the process of moving bags of rice donated in response to the call that I made to GHAPOHA and that division is on course as at now. But I am not aware in this region that some body has died out of starvation, but I believe that if you are sick and you are hungry, I believe the situation could be worse?? he said.