Despite stable overall food consumption levels, approximately three million residents in Ghana are increasingly susceptible to food insecurity, according to a statement from Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, the Government Statistician. The recent Mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (M-VAM) report unveiled in Accra highlights significant underlying pressures impacting the nation’s food security.
The report, a collaboration between the Ghana Statistical Service and the World Food Programme, emphasizes that factors such as inflation, climate-related challenges, and global supply disruptions are disproportionately affecting certain households. Dr. Iddrisu underscored the necessity of precise data for effective intervention, stating, “Effective response hinges on clear measurement.”
Data collected from 9,000 households across all 16 regions between October and December 2025 reveals that while 91 percent of households enjoy acceptable food consumption levels, this average conceals critical disparities. Dr. Iddrisu noted, “Approximately three million people remain at risk, experiencing inadequate or borderline food consumption.”
The findings indicate that households are increasingly resorting to coping mechanisms such as reducing meal quality, incurring debt, and cutting essential expenditures. Notably, 40 percent of households in northern Ghana, including regions like North East and Upper West, face significant food consumption challenges.
Education and occupation further delineate vulnerability, with households lacking formal education or reliant on small-scale agriculture experiencing heightened risks. Dr. Iddrisu emphasized the urgency for targeted interventions and expanded social protection programs, as only a small fraction of households currently receive assistance.
Investment in climate-smart agriculture and diversified livelihoods is crucial, with market access issues predominantly related to affordability rather than distance. Aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 on zero hunger, Dr. Iddrisu urged policymakers to address these vulnerabilities decisively, cautioning that inaction could exacerbate the situation.
