Ghana is to purchase an insurance cover from a continental insurance body, Africa Risk Capacity (ARC) to mitigate the effects of drought on farmers in the northern part of the country.
In furtherance of this, the country has been internationally assessed and certified. The final stage in the process is an executive approval to enable the country to buy the insurance policy.
The Director of Climate Change Department of the National Disaster Organisation, (NADMO), Charlotte Norman in an interview with GBC’s Joyce Gyekye said the African Development Bank has assured the country of fifty percent of the premium if the country raises the remaining amount.
The sovereign insurance, which is to be paid by government is to assist smallholder farmers in the northern part of the country and some parts of the former Brong Ahafo Region.
The maize to be insured is the 90 and 110 days varieties.
Madam Charlotte Norman explained that should a climate disaster strike, smallholder farmers of the crop who are vulnerable will be seriously affected.
When the crop is insured, ARC insurance money will be disbursed to affected farmers before NADMO’s intervention. With the premium being a challenge for the government, the African Ďevelopment Bank, has promised to pay half of the amount.
Madam Norman stated that donor partners including the Canadian High Commission, UNDP have also expressed their readiness to support government in purchasing the insurance.
The need for African countries to insure certain crops against drought was mooted at the AU Summit in 2012. This is because climate change is a present and growing threat to food security and nutrition in Africa especially countries relying heavily on agriculture.
Story by: Joyce Gyekye.
