By Obiabin Onukwugha
A report from the World Food Program (WFP) has highlighted that an estimated 1.05 million people in Ghana could face food insecurity between June and August 2024.
This, according to the report would be caused by natural hazards like flooding.
Most communities in Ghana, including Accra the federal Capital city, suffer flooding during the rainy season as is the case in many African countries.
Last week, Ghana’s Director for Special Duties for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Volta Secretariat, Dr Donald Agumenu, called for a revolution in the agricultural sector to boost the country’s economy.
Agumenu, who was a former special Assistant to former President Jerry John Rawlings, said the revolution, was critical to enhance the livelihoods of farmers, contribute to the country’s food security, foster economic growth, and make Ghana’s agricultural sector globally competitive.
He described as unfortunate Ghana’s current situation of rising food inflation, saying the country could feed the world should it implement the right policies.
Agumenu, however, suggested agro-ecological and modern farming practices as a way to combat the predicted hunger.
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He said: “By monitoring and analysing data related to soil moisture levels and crop conditions, farmers can make informed decisions regarding irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, leading to maximised crop yields and minimised resource wastage.
“Also, implementing e-commerce platforms would enable farmers to establish direct connections with consumers and gain access to global markets, reduce costs, and increase profit margins”.
The WFP report noted that while the figure represents a decrease from the 2.2 million projected in November 2023, it remains concerning, especially when compared to the 1.37 million estimated in March 2023.
The report highlighted that climate change, in areas where agriculture is the primary livelihood for 90 percent of families, challenges such as climate change, low prices, poor infrastructure, and inadequate education will compound the problem.
Additionally, the report highlighted the triple burden of malnutrition faced by children, women and older people.
“Despite some relief in inflation, the issue persists, particularly in northern Ghana and rural communities.
“In these areas, where agriculture is the primary livelihood for 90 percent of families, challenges such as climate change, low prices, poor infrastructure, and inadequate education compound the problem.
“Ghana’s vulnerability to global price spikes, particularly for imported rice, adds to the challenge, impacting the affordability of food across the country,” the report stated.
