The rate of insufficient food consumption (IFC) has increased by 5.77%, according to the July 2024 Food Security Monitor report, which shows a worrying rise in food insecurity throughout Ghana. The continuous cost-of-living dilemma, which is being exacerbated by rising inflation, a declining value of the dollar, and skyrocketing fuel prices, is primarily responsible for this increase. These causes have caused a noticeable increase in the price of necessities, especially mainstays like rice and maize.
The report also highlights that, while the rate of IFC remained stable in most Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda experienced rises of 5.77%, 3.98%, and 7.5%, respectively, in June and July. Conversely, Zimbabwe reported a 5.45% decline. Most countries have seen a growth in IFC year over year; the only exceptions are Zambia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Mozambique, where current levels are lower than those observed a year ago.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has before predicted this development in their study from February 2024. A preliminary March 2024 research and the WFP’s February 2024 country brief both predicted that 1.05 million Ghanaians would face food insecurity between June and August of 2024. Climate change, low agricultural prices, poor infrastructure, and restricted access to education are all contributing causes. These are made worse by Ghana’s susceptibility to changes in the global market, particularly with regard to imported rice.
Additionally, the report names a number of countries—Burkina Faso (56.6%), Mali (69.1%), Niger (82.6%), and Nigeria (51.5%)—as hotspots for food insecurity, where more than half of the population experiences IFC.
