The Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI) has outlined a number of measures put in place to strengthen and ensure food security in the country during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Ministry said Ghana like other countries, especially in Africa, is likely to be faced with a myriad of food challenges, hence the need to put in measures to ensure food security in the era of and post Covid.

"Ghana could lose up to 30% of its 2019 production due to the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic," a statement from the Ministry said.

"It is therefore against this background that (MESTI) through its agencies have outlined measures to assess and strengthen existing nutrition emergency responses, risk assessments, and early warning surveillance systems to minimise the shock during and after the pandemic.

"These measures border on promoting local food productions and consumption, creating food and nutrition database for better emergency preparedness planning, supporting local industries with technical skills and technologies to process diverse nutritious food products and provide evidence based guidelines for food consumption," it further added.

The Ministry intends to strengthen the food chain by adding value to food commodities, growing food, as well as processing food in the country through the use of technology.

Marking the 2020 edition of the Day of Science Renaissance of Africa (DSRA) on the theme "Rethinking Food Security and Nutrition in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic", the Ministry further reiterated the need for Ghana as a nation to commit itself to the application of science and technology for national development.

"It is therefore very instructive that this year's theme has focused on food security and nutrition in these irregular times," a statement signed by the Minister in charge, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng said.

The Day of Science Renaissance of Africa is a day marked in remembrance of the continent's great contributions to the rise and development of modern science and technology.

It is celebrated in accordance with the Africa Union resolution passed in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and is marked annually on the 30th of June, across the continent.