Professor Anna Lartey, a nutrition expert, has raised concerns about the affordability of nutritious food in Ghana, revealing that about 65 per cent of Ghanaians cannot afford a healthy diet.
She also cited figures indicating that 43.5 per cent of the population experiences moderate to severe food insecurity, highlighting the challenges many households face in accessing sufficient and nutritious meals.
Prof. Lartey made the remarks during Ghana’s 2026 World Food Day commemoration in Accra on October 16. She warned that the inability of many people to afford healthy food has implications beyond nutrition, affecting education, productivity and the country’s long-term economic development.
According to her, food insecurity remains a significant challenge, particularly for rural communities, where access to nutritious food can be limited by household incomes, production constraints and other difficulties within the food system.
She called on the government to translate Ghana’s commitments under the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit into practical measures that improve access to healthy diets.
Among the proposals she outlined were the development of food-based dietary guidelines, increased production of fruits and vegetables, and stronger measures to reduce food losses along the agricultural value chain.
Prof. Lartey also advocated greater investment in indigenous Ghanaian foods, describing them as nutritious, affordable and capable of contributing to climate-resilient food systems.
She argued that encouraging the production and consumption of local foods could help households obtain healthier meals while supporting farmers and strengthening the domestic food supply.
The nutrition expert further highlighted the need for research and innovation to reduce food waste. She pointed to the challenge of nutritious food being discarded while vulnerable households struggle to secure adequate meals, calling for solutions that improve food preservation, distribution and utilisation.
The World Food Day commemoration was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and hosted by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
FAO official Ayman Omer said the organisation was working with Ghanaian authorities to address challenges affecting the country’s food systems. The director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Professor Dorothy Yeboah Manu, also reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to research and collaboration aimed at improving nutrition and public health.
The event was held under the theme “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow” and featured discussions on sustainable food systems, a cooking competition for young chefs and an exhibition showcasing indigenous Ghanaian foods.
The activities were intended to draw attention to the role of innovation, local food production and sustainable agricultural practices in improving nutrition and strengthening food security.
The figures presented by Prof. Lartey underline the scale of the affordability challenge facing Ghana. Addressing it will require coordinated efforts involving government agencies, farmers, researchers, food producers and communities to improve food availability, reduce waste and make nutritious meals more accessible to households.
Source: Thepressradio.com
