According to the latest findings from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), the number of individuals experiencing food insecurity in Ghana has decreased to 12.5 million during the third quarter of 2025, a drop from 13.4 million in the previous quarter. This reduction, however, is juxtaposed with an alarming rise in multidimensional poverty and unemployment.
Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, the Government Statistician, revealed during a press briefing on February 10, 2026, that approximately 227,519 individuals were simultaneously facing food insecurity, multidimensional poverty, and unemployment in the third quarter. This figure marks an increase of 19,455 from the second quarter, indicating a concerning 9.4% rise in a short span.
Notably, food insecurity is disproportionately affecting female-headed households, with a staggering 44.1% reported in the first half of 2025, compared to 38.7% among their male counterparts. Despite a slight national decline in severe food insecurity—from 5.1% in the second quarter to 4.6% in the third—the GSS warns that the number of citizens grappling with multiple vulnerabilities continues to escalate.
These developments come at a pivotal moment as Ghana strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the objective of Zero Hunger by 2030. Dr. Iddrisu emphasized the necessity for targeted interventions rather than broad policies, suggesting that the government should focus on high-burden regions, enhance nutrition-sensitive social protections, link food security initiatives to employment opportunities, and invest in education and rural resilience.
As Ghana navigates its economic landscape, the uneven distribution of macroeconomic benefits raises concerns about the future of food security and the well-being of its citizens.
