Ghana Food System Faces Crisis Demanding Climate Resilience Roadmap

Ghana's reliance on food imports, increasing diet-related illnesses, and growing climate change impacts are forcing urgent action. Policymakers, health specialists, and business leaders met in Accra this week. They gathered for a crucial national dialogue on building a more resilient food system. The workshop aims to create a plan for a food future that can withstand climate challenges.

The event, titled "Ghana's Journey Towards Food System Resilience," is a response to severe pressures. The country spends approximately $400 million each year on poultry imports. This drains national resources and deepens reliance on foreign markets. Climate change poses a direct threat to staple crops. In the Fanteakwa District, cassava and plantain yields have already dropped by 16 percent. Projections suggest that crop failures could happen every five years in Northern Ghana.

Agriculture is a vital part of Ghana's economy. It contributes 19 percent to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The sector also employs about one-third of the country's workforce. However, agriculture and land use are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. These activities account for 44.6 percent of Ghana's total emissions. Livestock farming alone is responsible for nearly half of all methane emissions from the country. This highlights a complex link between food production and environmental degradation.

The current food system also leads to significant health issues. Ghana faces ongoing food insecurity and malnutrition in some areas. Simultaneously, diet-related diseases like hypertension and diabetes are on the rise. Hypertension affects 34 percent of adult Ghanaians. This places a heavy burden on the National Health Insurance Scheme. Experts warn that environmental damage from food production is also escalating. Livestock farming can contaminate water sources. Deforestation and biodiversity loss are linked to the expansion of grazing lands and bush burning. Ghana has lost over 60 percent of its primary forests since the 1950s, with an annual deforestation rate of 3.51 percent.

Discussions at the workshop focused on practical solutions. A key recommendation involves increasing the production and consumption of plant-rich foods. These foods are often part of Ghana's traditional diets. Such a shift could improve nutrition, strengthen local food control, and reduce environmental harm. It could also create new economic opportunities. Public health expert Mark Kojo Atuahene and dietician Daniel Laryea discussed the role of plant-based foods. Food Sovereignty Ghana led discussions on indigenous crops and reducing import dependence. Local businesses showcased innovations in plant-based food production. These could lead to job creation and entrepreneurship.

The climate aspect of this food system transition is critical. Lasse Bruun from the UN Foundation for Food and Climate discussed mitigation strategies. He explained how food systems can help fight climate change. Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl of the Danish Vegetarian Association shared Denmark's national plan. This plan focuses on plant-based foods to enhance food system resilience. The Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Seidu Issifu, provided opening and closing remarks. The dialogue aimed to produce actionable recommendations for Ghana's food sector. The goal is to build a system that supports public health and environmental protection. It also seeks to bolster food sovereignty and resilience against future shocks.