The Government of Ghana, in collaboration with the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has initiated a €10 million project aimed at assisting 50,000 vulnerable Ghanaians facing food security challenges in various parts of the Northern Region.This project has several key objectives:To establish more economically sustainable and inclusive food systems.

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To empower communities to develop resilient and profitable food production systems while promoting environmental sustainability.To enhance social sustainability and gender inclusivity within food systems.To improve the governance and institutional sustainability of food systems.The allocated funds will primarily support the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme (PFJ 2.0) and will target specific commodities.

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These efforts complement the government's initiatives to mitigate the adverse impacts of rising food, fertiliser, and fuel prices in vulnerable areas, with the ultimate goal of reducing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.Dr.

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Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, expressed gratitude for the crucial financial support from the EU, emphasising the significance of international solidarity in addressing global food security challenges, especially in light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

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He highlighted the shared commitment to ensuring food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable development in Ghana, acknowledging the substantial contributions made by the EU and its member states to Ghana's economic progress.The Minister said the EU, through its Member States and Development Programmes, had made significant contributions to Ghana’s economic progress.

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  “The agricultural sector has received a substantial amount of aid in the form of grants over the years. Under the current 11th European Development Fund, the EU-GAP programme allocated €132 million in grants for various interventions in the agricultural sector,” he added.

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Dr Acheampong said the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, climate change and other factors had exacerbated the situation of many households, which struggled to access adequate and nutritious food.“These challenges also put pressure on our food systems and require us to rethink our strategies to ensure food security and resilience in a sustainable way,” he added.

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The Minister urged all partners to align all ongoing projects and future projects with PFJ 2.0 to ensure efficient and effective use of resources to achieve the common goal of increased food security, import substitution, increased exports, and job creation.

expressed appreciation to FAO for the long-standing relations and collaboration through several policy and Technical Cooperation Projects in

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support of the agricultural sector.Mr Yurdi Yasmi, FAO Representative in Ghana, said the project was a three-year emergency initiative to rapidly enhance food security and promote resilience in parts of northern Ghana.

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 “This is part of an EU regional response to address food crises and economic shocks in African countries that have been hit by global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and climate change, among others,” he added.The Representative emphasised that this support aligns closely with the EU's "Farm to Fork Strategy," which is designed to ensure a consistent and secure food supply, even in times of crisis.

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The strategy aims to provide citizens with a reliable source of safe, nutritious, affordable, and sustainable food at all times.Additionally, this initiative aims to have a lasting impact on the enhancement of sustainable food production and the resilience of food systems in Ghana. It seeks to achieve economic, environmental, and social benefits within the country's agrifood systems intentionally.Mr.

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Yasmi highlighted the use of technologies and social innovations as key tools to enhance the efficiency of food production, particularly in improving water efficiency in agriculture. Furthermore, the project will leverage digital agriculture, another technological aspect, to significantly reduce market failures and enhance the overall functioning of agricultural markets.

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This approach also aligns with tapping into the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area.“The collaboration between FAO, the EU and the government shows our commitment to rural families in Ghana and ending hunger and malnutrition while supporting the transition to more sustainable agrifood systems,” Mr Yasmi said. Mr.

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Irchad Razaaly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, highlighted that the swift mobilisation of €10 million for this emergency initiative underscores the EU's commitment and solidarity, along with that of its Member States, in response to the escalating food prices. The primary objective is to safeguard food security and facilitate the transition to more robust food systems within Ghana.

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Under this initiative, special attention will be given to capacity-building support for women, youth, and value chain participants. They will gain access to post-harvest technologies and receive training on vital aspects such as climate change adaptation, market access, financial services, and pest and disease management.

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