Over three million Ghanaians are still subject to food insecurity, despite fairly stable national consumption levels, according to a recent research released by the Ghana Statistics Service.
The results are included in the October–December 2025 Mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) Food Insecurity Vulnerability Report, which was published in Accra on April 22.
Approximately 91% of families, or nearly 30 million people, reported adequate food consumption levels, according to the report’s presenter, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, the government statistician.
However, he cautioned that the national image obscures considerable areas of vulnerability.
According to Dr. Iddrisu, “Beneath this national average, about three million people remain vulnerable, facing poor or borderline food consumption.”
About 9,000 households in all 16 regions were included in the study, which was carried out in association with the World Food Programme with assistance from the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
Despite general stability, Dr. Iddrisu noted that many households are increasingly using coping techniques to meet their food needs, indicating underlying stress.
“About one in three households is adopting medium to high coping strategies, while nearly one in four households is already in crisis or emergency coping,” he stated.
He clarified that these actions include borrowing, selling productive assets, lowering health and education spending, and lowering the quality of meals.
“This is not sustainable. It means many households are managing today by sacrificing tomorrow,” he added.
In the northern belt, where food insecurity is still most prevalent, the research emphasises glaring regional differences.
Poor or borderline food consumption levels were reported by over 40% of households in the Northern, North East, Upper East, and Upper West regions, highlighting ongoing structural issues in those areas.
The results also highlight the impact of income sources and education on food security.
Families reliant on smallholder agriculture face risks roughly six times higher than those involved in trading or savings-based industries, and households without formal education are up to ten times more vulnerable than those with postsecondary education.
Just 1.5% of households reported receiving any kind of support in spite of these circumstances, which raises questions about the scope and efficacy of current social protection initiatives.
In order to reach the most vulnerable groups, Dr. Iddrisu advocated for better targeting of support programs.
“Targeting must improve. We must focus on high-risk regions and vulnerable groups with precision,” he stated.
In order to stop further deterioration, he also emphasised the significance of early intervention.
“If we wait until consumption collapses, we are already late,” he cautioned.
Dr. Philomena Efua Nyarko, a former government statistician who chaired the event, emphasised the significance of data-driven policies in solving food insecurity.
“Policies are only as effective as the evidence that informs them. When reliable data is available, governments are better able to anticipate challenges and respond to emerging risks,” she said.
According to Dr. Nyarko, some households’ seeming stability could conceal more serious weaknesses.
She pointed out that “Many households that appear stable remain vulnerable, often relying on coping strategies to sustain that stability.”
The report cautions that increasing risk calls for immediate and focused response, even though it does not characterise the situation as a national emergency.
“The real danger is not just what the data shows today, but what happens if we delay and fail to act with precision,” Dr. Iddrisu stated.
“The Service will continue to provide timely data to inform policy decisions and interventions,” he continued.
“Food security is not just about feeding people today. It is about protecting livelihoods, preserving dignity and securing the future of this country,” he reiterated.
Source: newsthemegh.com