In a world of plenty, where enough food is produced to feed everyone on the planet, hunger should be a thing of the past. However, conflict, climate change, disasters, inequality and – most recently – the COVID-19 pandemic mean one in ten people globally are still going to bed hungry and famine looms for millions. 

One institution with the core mandate of ensuring hunger is a thing of the past is the United Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP). WFP has a presence in over 120 countries working towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Country Director for WFP, Barbara Clemens explained their role saying “we look at ourselves as a strategic partner of government. For the work that we’re doing in Ghana, we want to less of direct implementation and more of facilitation. So what is key for us is building relationships with our key line ministries one being the Ministry for Food and Agriculture in their plan for Planting for Food and Jobs 2.0. We believe we have the key role to play in moving Ghana’s productivity, in moving the needle of Ghana Beyond Aid”.

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The 2022 Global Hunger Index report reveals Ghana’s hunger score has declined by more than 50 percent since the year 2000. Further analysis, however, shows some regions have fewer malnourished and hungry populations, while others have more than the national average. The northern part of Ghana has the highest prevalence of food insecurity, at 23-49 percent, compared to 4-10 percent in the southernmost regions. Barbara shares some initiatives her outfit has been undertaking to address malnutrition in Ghana.

“The main work that comes to mind is the project in Karaga where we’re working with vulnerable women and children providing nutrition support. We picked that area because of the latest findings by the Ghana Statistical Service that those are the areas that are most food and nutrition insecure. So we’re providing cash and livelihood assistance with the view of protecting them from making negative coping choices when their food security is compromised,” she highlighted.

Miss Clemens also said, “WFP, historically in Ghana, has done some work with the Ministry of Health regarding social behavior change communications which are their messaging on good eating habits”.

The fate of any sector is now linked to technology and Ghana’s agric sector has gradually been adapting to the changing trend. The World Food Programme as part of its new strategy going forward highlights on digital transformation in its activities.

“One of the initiative WFP is looking at for implementation under our next generation Country Strategic Plan that will be starting in 2024, is to pair those messaging with a loyalty where people will earn loyalty points making good nutritional choices. We will be developing a digital platform to track the progress of individuals,” she disclosed.

Touching on one of the dire challenges faced in Ghana’s agric space, post-harvest losses, the WFP representative emphasised the need to invest in processing.

“When we talk of post-harvest loss, we mostly limit it to consumption and trade. But I would say that’s the role of innovation. There is the need to take advantage of innovation to transform raw produce into finished products that would last long. Yes, we can work on post-harvest losses to maximise the food that we have so we can feed everyone but we can also work to transform it and open new markets,” she advised.

World hunger is on the rise and affecting nearly 10 percent of people globally. If not addressed properly the consequences will be ominous for public health, national wealth, individual and communities’ quality of life.