Demographic+Information

__Rainfall, Climate, and Irrigation in Ghana__
Cape Coast University conducted a **19 year rainfall study** of the annual rainfall pattern of the rainy seasons in Ghana ​(3 rainfall distribution zones)
 * **Northern** zone: Approximate **40 inches** average rainfall; 1 cropping season
 * **Middle**: Approximate **60 inches** average rainfall; 2 crop seasons
 * **Southern** zone: Approximate **80 inches** average rainfall; 2 crop seasons​



Rainfall in Ghana is unpredictable because each year the Tropical Rain Belt swings back and forth between the northern and southern tropics Northern Ghana subject to **heavy rainfall** and then **long dry spells** associated with higher temperatures Both **Formal** (governmental resourced) irrigation and **Informal** Irrigation (i.e. Water Use Association WUA)
 * This wreaks havoc on crop production and has forced natives to **migrate**



__​Demographics (Via the [|CIA])__

 * Almost 27 million people, as of July 2016
 * 57% of the population under the age of 25
 * Agriculture accounts for 19.5% of the country's GDP
 * 44.7% of Ghanaians working in the agricultural sector (as of 2016)



__​Ghanaian Culture__

 * Trade between villages and regions is prevalent in Ghana; they are very community oriented
 * Food waste as a result of inability to store
 * Farmers’ profits are squeezed by the instability of the system

__Ghanaian Agriculture__
​**Common Soil Types**: Clay Loam or Sandy Loam Low organic matter content in soils; more susceptible to erosion Ghana's main export crop is Cocoa beans; they are the second-largest producer in the world.
 * Most Common Crops**: Maize, Rice, Cowpea, Cassava, Yams, Sorghum, Tomatoes, Onion, Okra, Peanuts, Shea Nuts, and Eggplant