Ghana

Over the last 20 years, significant progress has been made in reducing poverty and hunger levels. However, Hunger and malnutrition persist primarily in northern Ghana, as well as many rural communities across the country.
WFP/Derrick Botchway

Poor Food Systems

A main driver of hunger and malnutrition in Ghana is poverty. Despite rapid urbanization, inefficient food systems in rural areas are keeping poverty and food insecurity rates high. Farmers face challenges from climate change, low prices, poor road infrastructure, lack of access to finance, inadequate markets, post-harvest losses, insufficient education, unsustainable farming systems and gender inequalities.

Agriculture remains the mainstay of the entire Ghanaian economy. About 45% of the population relies on the agricultural sector for their livelihoods. In northern Ghana, 90% of families rely on agricultural livelihoods, and severely limited food production has resulted in chronic poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. Varying food availability causes price fluctuations throughout the country, which in turn affect affordability. Because Ghana is a food deficit country, families are also vulnerable to global price spikes for imported foods such as rice.

Make a difference in Ghana

Hunger Stats

WFP’s Work in Ghana

WFP has been present in Ghana since 1963 and is assisting the government with an integrated food security and nutrition program. This program involves the private sector and aims to reduce malnutrition, improve the country’s food systems and strengthen social protection programs.
Team members of GrainMate, a startup from Ghana , ideate at recent Innovation Accelerator Bootcamp.
Private Sector Support
To help prevent stunting and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, WFP is supporting the private sector in producing and marketing affordable, safe fortified nutritious foods which comply with international standards. WFP provided two companies with technical and financial support and linked them with small-scale farmers.
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A healthy boy who wishes to become a doctor. Amina's son believes he can save the world when he grows up to become a doctor. He said he will advice every patient to eat fortified foods because it makes her mother healthy.

The World Food
Programme and Ghana Health Service (GHS) collaborated to implement stunting prevention
programme to target the first 1,000 days window of
opportunity by providing support for pregnant and
lactating woman (PLW), and children 6-23 months with
consumption of locally produced SNFs in the Northern Region of Ghana.
Nutrition
Through the First 1,000 Days program, WFP provides nutrition support to pregnant and nursing women, adolescent girls and children between the ages of 6 months to 2 years. With government institutions, WFP encourages people to eat local nutritious foods and adopt healthy behaviors.
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women sorting rice
Food Systems
WFP links small-scale farmer groups to markets with the goal of increasing the availability, access and utilization of staple foods like corn, cowpeas and soybeans. WFP works with government and private sector actors to create modern and more efficient food supply chain systems, as well as provide the appropriate post-harvest facilities, technologies and services that guarantee food safety and quality standards.
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Lastest News

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