Mr. Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture has announced that the government plans to adopt climate-smart agriculture to ensure food security and enhance the solvency of the agricultural sector.
He noted that the approach would tackle the challenges presented by climate change and ensure that farming practices become more resilient and sustainable.
Mr. Acheampong made the remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf during the World Food Day celebrations in Accra on Wednesday.
He highlighted the heavy reliance of farmers on rainfall, which had become increasingly erratic due to climate change, leading to issues like drought.
World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16, aims to raise awareness among all UN Member States to combat hunger, promote technology transfer for food production, and strengthen efforts against hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.
This year’s theme is “The Right to Food for a Better Life and Better Future: Leave No One Behind.”
Research indicates that approximately 733 million people worldwide face hunger, a figure that has remained unchanged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, around 233 million people, or 29 percent of the global population, are food insecure, lacking regular access to nutritious food.
Africa has been particularly affected, experiencing the highest rate of food insecurity, with over 20 percent of its population impacted.
Mr. Acheampong noted that Ghana’s food production and security are significantly affected by regional disparities and climate conditions.
To address those challenges, the Ministry has implemented several interventions, including the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative, which focuses on large-scale food production in the Afram Plains Economic Enclave (Ashanti and Eastern regions).
Additionally, in the northern part of the country, construction and land development projects are underway at nineteen irrigation sites to enhance agricultural productivity.
Mr. Acheampong said that the government was constructing warehouses nationwide to facilitate the storage and management of farm produce for citizens.
He stressed the importance of promoting and developing drought-resistant crop varieties to ensure sustainable food production.
Ms. Priya Gujadhur, Senior Resilience Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), noted that conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability are major drivers of food crises, contributing to malnutrition and rising rates of overweight and obesity.
She encouraged community-based approaches to water and environmental management and conservation to strengthen resilience against the impacts of climate change.
“Ghana’s research institutions need to be continuously supported and funded to improve and continue to develop drought resistant crop varieties.
“Farmers must be encouraged to adopt their use as it holds a promise to maintain and even increase yields despite adverse weather conditions,” she said.
Ms. Aurore Rusiga, World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director for WFP Ghana, noted that despite advancements in agriculture, many rural communities in Ghana continued to face significant barriers in accessing nutritious food.
She underscored that access to safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food is a fundamental right essential for a healthy life.
Ms. Rusiga called for investment in the youth and their inclusion in agriculture, highlighting that empowering young people is crucial for the future of food systems.
She commended rural women, stating, “Rural women are not just farmers; they are key drivers of food systems.”
Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, emphasised the importance of valuing the complex relationship between water, food, and human well-being, urging efforts to keep water resources clean.
She noted that a key component for the successful implementation of the Ghana National Aquaculture Development Plan for 2024 to 2028 was the availability of sustainable and suitable water to enhance fish production.
“We must collectively protect these water bodies to restore their health and to revive lives in them.
“Restoring the healthy condition of the water bodies would result in rebuilding our fisheries resources and eventually increase our fish production,” she noted.
Mr. Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf, urged well-meaning citizens and stakeholders to contribute their quota in support of the government’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, which aims to end hunger.
“Today, we acknowledge the tireless efforts of farmers, agricultural workers, and organisations dedicated to combating hunger and malnutrition. We also recognize the critical role that governments, civil society, and the private sector play in addressing the complex challenges surrounding food security,” he stated.
