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Soybeans

Feeder Roads Crisis in Ghana: A Threat to Rural Development and Food Security

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The feeder roads in rural Ghana, a lifeline for farmers and communities, are in dire need of attention. Despite their importance, many roads are in deplorable condition, posing significant barriers to transportation, agriculture, and rural development. As of December 2021, only 29.5 percent of Ghana's feeder road network of approximately 43,305 kilometers is in good condition, with a disturbing 32.2 percent in poor condition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Feeder roads are vital links between rural farmers and main road networks, crucial for transporting inputs, produce, accessing health services, and enabling children to attend school.
  • Poor feeder roads impact every stage of agricultural production, limiting access to fertilizers and seeds, reducing farmers' income, and discouraging production.
  • Post-harvest losses, especially for perishable crops like tomatoes and peppers, are increasing due to delays caused by bad roads.
  • Many youths have exited the business of agriculture, and if nothing is done soon, unemployment will worsen, especially among women and young people.
  • The Ghana Soybeans Farmers and Aggregators Association estimates that bad roads raise transport costs, making aggregation unprofitable.
  • Ghana's food security is deeply tied to rural infrastructure, with 49.1% of food-insecure individuals living in rural areas.
  • The 2020 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA) estimated that 3.6 million Ghanaians, 11.7% of the population, are food insecure, with the Northern Region accounting for 598,706 food-insecure individuals.
  • The government must establish a dedicated road maintenance fund, encourage private sector investment, and implement a road condition monitoring system to track and respond to deteriorating roads before they become unusable.
  • Constructing climate-resilient roads that can withstand Ghana's increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather is also crucial.

Statistics:

  • Ghana's feeder road network spans approximately 43,305 kilometers as of December 2021.
  • Only 29.5 percent of the feeder road network is in good condition, with 32.2 percent in poor condition.
  • 49.1% of food-insecure individuals in Ghana live in rural areas.
  • 3.6 million Ghanaians, 11.7% of the population, are food insecure, as estimated by the 2020 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA).
  • The Northern Region alone accounts for 598,706 food-insecure individuals.
  • Ghana has about 94,203 kilometers of roads, with a large portion being feeder roads.
  • The EU-funded Feeder Roads Improvement Programme completed 648 km in the Eastern Region in 2010.
  • 670 km of feeder roads were commissioned in the Upper West Region in 2024.

Sources:

  • Ghana News Agency, "Kambon-Naakura: A farming community in the Mion District of Northern Ghana struggles with feeder road challenges"
  • Department of Feeder Roads, "Feeder Road Network and Condition Report"
  • Ghana Statistical Service, "2022 Household Income and Expenditure Survey"
  • 2020 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA) Report

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