Food security is a fundamental aspect of human and social development. Per the 1999 World Food Summit working definition, food security describes a situation in which “all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” 

However, the complexity of food security as a phenomenon resulting from multiple drivers – including food availability, accessibility, affordability, and the stability of all the aforementioned – poses significant challenges for assessment. 

WFP has been at the forefront of efforts in Ghana, Africa, and across the world to define robust methodologies for assessing food security, perform food security surveys, and provide stakeholders with policy-actionable evidence-based analysis. 

This 2020 CFSVA report is the most comprehensive food security assessment yet undertaken in Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), with technical and financial support from WFP and FAO. 

The three overarching objectives of the 2020 CFSVA are to: 

These objectives have been fulfilled under the 2020 Ghana CFSVA through a household level assessment of food security in Ghana’s 260 administrative districts across four spatial dimensions: urban/rural (“residence”), administrative region (16 regions), ecological zone (seven zones) and livelihood zone (13 zones). 

The study interviewed 67,140 household heads across 4,476 sample points or Enumeration Areas (EAs) from the 260 districts. Per the 2020 CFSVA, food insecurity in Ghana stands at 11.7 percent, implying a food insecure population of 3.6 million people. 

Out of the 3.6 million implied food insecure people in the country, the results of the study suggest that 5.2 percent – an implied 1.6 million people – are severely food insecure, and 6.5 percent – an implied 2 million people – are moderately food insecure. 

Of Ghana’s 3.6 million implied food insecure people, 78 percent – an implied 2.8 million people – are in rural areas, and 22 percent – an implied 0.8 million people – are in urban areas. The results also show that 18.2 percent of Ghana’s rural population are food insecure, of which 7.3 percent are severely food insecure and 10.9 percent are moderately food insecure. The findings further show that 5.5 percent of Ghana’s urban population are food insecure, of which 3.2 percent are severely food insecure and 2.3 percent are moderately food insecure. 

Ghana's Food Security: Ghana has made tremendous progress in achieving food security. Agriculture output in the country has improved, with basic crops such as maize, rice, and cassava showing promising development. This advancement may be ascribed to a variety of causes, including increasing agricultural investment, improved farming practices, and the adoption of new technologies.  

Several difficulties, however, continue to have an influence on Ghana's food security. Climate change is a major hazard, causing unpredictable weather patterns, droughts, and floods. These climate changes have an impact on agricultural yields and livestock output, resulting in food shortages and price swings. Furthermore, inadequate access to capital and sophisticated farming methods reduces agricultural production, especially among smallholder farmers. 

Another source of worry is post-harvest losses. Inadequate storage and transit infrastructure contribute to considerable food waste, lowering total food availability. To address these issues, investments in infrastructural development, farmer education initiatives, and the deployment of appropriate post-harvest management measures are required. 

Water Security in Ghana: Access to safe drinking water remains a major concern in some rural parts of Ghana. Despite attempts to enhance water infrastructure and management, difficulties remain. Access to clean water sources has a negative impact on community health and well-being, particularly in distant areas where water quality may be affected. 

Droughts and irregular rainfall patterns also cause problems for Ghana's water security. Water supply for agriculture, sanitation, and other sectors is impacted by these climate-related challenges. To address these issues, the government has initiated efforts such as dam and reservoir building, water conservation programs, and the promotion of sustainable water management techniques. 

To ensure long-term food and water security in Ghana, it is critical to maintain agricultural infrastructure investments, encourage climate-resilient farming techniques, and improve water management measures. Collaboration among government agencies, foreign organizations, and local communities is critical for effectively addressing these concerns and achieving. 

Conclusion: Ghana has made substantial progress in improving food security, thanks to increasing agricultural production and investment in the sector. Climate change, restricted access to capital and sophisticated farming equipment, and post-harvest losses, on the other hand, continue to stymie development. Similarly, despite attempts to improve water security, availability to safe drinking water and the impact of droughts remain major challenges. 

 
Reference: Ghana 2020 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA). Sources: FAO, Govt. Ghana, WFP