By: Nana Achiaa Aboagye
Jospong Group of Companies in partnership with the Asian African Consortium, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has organized a forum on food security. It also discussed food importation and challenges to long-term food security in the country.
Data from the 2022 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey reveals that 49.1 percent of the population lacked reliable access to food in the first quarter of the year. This represents 15.1 million of the 30.8 million people in Ghana.
Research also indicates that the prevalence of food insecurity is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The Ministry of Finance reports that Ghana’s annual import of essential food commodities, including rice, poultry, sugar, and tomatoes, averaged around US$2 billion.
Figures show that between 2017 and 2020, the country spent between US$845.9 million and US$2 billion on rice importation, poultry, tomatoes, and other items.
To put the brakes on food importation in the country, some scientists, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders have come together to work towards enhancing food security. In view of this, the Jospong Group of Companies and its subsidiary, the Asian African Consortium (AAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CSIR.
The Director General, for CSIR, Prof. Paul Bosu intimated that sees this project more as a national agenda rather than Jospong Group of Companies and its subsidiary, the Asian African Consortium or a family project.
He called on the people to support government to achieve its objectives of feeding the Ghanaian population. Adding that they must all rally behind the team to achieve the vision of addressing the pressing issue of food importation in the country in order to foster long-term food security.
The Chief Executive of Asian Africa Consortium Mrs. Adelaide Agyepong said the collective effort will harness the knowledge, expertise and innovation of scientists to enhance food security in the country.
She mentioned that most commodities including rice, maize, soyabeans, and tomatoes are facing supply shortages in Ghana and as a result, this workshop will serve a as a platform for serious discussions and collaborations to increase Ghana’s food production.
She said in this regard Jospong Group of Companies in partnership with the Asian African Consortium and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research have perceived the need to bridge Ghana’s food security concerns.
The team will explore and implement practical strategies to promote local production, enhance agricultural productivity, and ensure sustainable food supply. The workshop was on the Theme: Enhancing Food Security: ‘’The role of Ghanaian Scientists.’’
