A food campaigner for Greenpeace Africa (GPAF), Elizabeth Opolo urges Africa to take back control of its food systems, stressing that food sovereignty is the key to reclaiming the power over the continent’s food.

“It’s time to reclaim the power of our food. Food sovereignty is what we mean when we talk about reclaiming the power of food,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth Opolo lamented that the corporate agenda has hijacked Africa's food systems, prioritizing profits over people and the planet.

She emphasized that this shift has led to the exploitation of resources, displacement of small-scale farmers, and degradation of the environment, ultimately threatening the very foundation of the continent’s food sovereignty.

Elizabeth stated that, GPFA's Pan-African campaign seeks to challenge and dismantle the corporate takeover of Africa's food systems, which has resulted in devastating consequences, including environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, malnutrition, and poor health outcomes, ultimately undermining the continent's food sovereignty and sustainability.

“GPAF Pan-African campaign is aiming to confront the corporate capture of Africa's food systems, which has led to detrimental impacts on our environment, biodiversity, nutrition, and health.”

GPAF Food Campaign advocates for a transition to eco-friendly agricultural methods, pushes for policy reforms, and amplifies community voices to promote self-determination and sustainable food systems that prioritize people's health and the environment.

“In Africa, 80% of the food consumed is produced by small-scale farmers, yet they are increasingly marginalized by policies favoring large agribusinesses 3.81 billion -African agrochemical Market Size in 2024 (USD). All the top major players are companies from the north,” Elizabeth explained.

She lamented, "Isn't it sad that a virus and a far-off fight between neighbors can leave us scrambling for dinner?"

Elizabeth and her colleagues from GPAF recently visited Ghana to inaugurate the Climate Justice Movement, a collaborative initiative that unites civil society organizations to combat the devastating effects of climate change and advocate for a more equitable and sustainable future.