El Niño could drive up food prices and inflation – Government Statistician

Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu has issued a warning that an anticipated severe El Niño event could drive up food prices and inflation in Ghana. The climate pattern, known as El Niño, can disrupt agricultural production, electricity generation, and international supply chains. Dr Iddrisu cautioned that reduced rainfall during the farming season could lead to lower crop yields, potentially driving up food prices for consumers.

Additionally, a decline in hydropower generation from reduced rainfall could impact businesses and industries reliant on a consistent electricity supply. As the Ghana Meteorological Agency has identified a developing severe El Niño event, with implications for rainfall patterns, agriculture, water resources, and electricity generation, Dr Iddrisu urged policymakers to incorporate weather forecasts into economic planning and consider early interventions to protect the economy from possible disruptions.