The Upper East Region has always been known for its rich farmlands, where shea trees grow in abundance, groundnuts thrive, and millet fields stretch across the landscape. Farming is not just a job here, it is a way of life, passed down through generations.
But today, the same people who produce food are struggling to afford it. Food inflation in the region has hit a staggering 49.9%, the highest in Ghana, far above its headline inflation rate of 34.3%.
A farmer in Navrongo harvests millet, sells it to traders, and weeks later returns to the market only to find that prices have doubled. The shea butter women spend hours processing is becoming too expensive for their own households. The groundnut that was once a staple in nearly every home is now stretching family budgets thin. Prices keep rising, and salaries aren’t catching up.
This was not always the case. Historically, the Upper East Region was a major food production hub. Before colonial rule, communities relied on a barter system, exchanging grains, livestock, and shea butter to sustain themselves.
The British later commercialized farming, expanding shea and groundnut production for export. After independence, Ghanaian governments promoted large-scale farming initiatives, making the region central to national food security.
For decades, people could grow enough food and still afford what they didn’t produce. Markets were filled with fresh produce, and traders traveled from the south to buy grains, shea butter, and livestock. But things have changed.
Poor road networks make transportation expensive, forcing traders to increase prices. Climate change has disrupted rainfall patterns, leading to unpredictable harvests. Middlemen continue to dictate prices, buying low from farmers and selling high in urban centers.
Beyond food, the cost of living in the region has soared. Housing, electricity, and fuel prices have jumped by 108.5%, stretching household budgets even further. Education costs have surged by 60.6%, making it harder for families to keep children in school. The daily struggle has become real, every decision is now a trade-off between food, shelter, and education.
The irony is glaring: a region known for its food production is battling high food prices. Farmers are working harder but earning less, and families are cutting back on essentials to survive. The land is still fertile, the crops are still growing, but for many, a full meal is becoming a luxury.
