Kufuor Foundation launches Ghana Zero Hunger Strategic Review project
Article originally published in Citi fm online
The strategic review among other things, seeks to contribute to Government’s effort to accelerate the work towards eliminating hunger and food insecurity by 2030, while improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Speaking at the launch, the lead convener, Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, said the enormous effects of hunger on a country, underscores the need for a comprehensive response to hunger and nutrition.
According to him, various research studies have been done to expose the seriousness of malnutrition on a country and the cost on GDP (see Global Panel’s brief on the Cost of Malnutrition).
“Hunger can be very costly to a country. A recent study in Ghana estimates that in 2012 alone, hunger cost an estimated 6% of the country’s GDP, amounting to GH¢ 4.6 billion. This cost resulted from the failure to address nutrition, which has debilitating outcomes in terms of foregone productivity, decreased educational outcomes and increased health burden. This loss should not be allowed to continue.”
On his part, the Minister Nominee for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, in a speech read on his behalf acknowledged the importance of the review and Government’s commitment to working towards achieving Goal 2 of the SDG, which aims to “end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
He said it was in this regard that his government intends to launch the “Planting for Food and Jobs” campaign.
Members of the advisory board for the “Ghana Zero Hunger Strategic Review” include former President John A. Kufuor, a representative from the office of the President, Ministry of Food And Agriculture, Finance, Health, Education, Trade and Industry, Local Governance and Rural Development, The National Development Planning Commission and a Representative from the United Nations.
“The Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition, which I co-chair, has undertaken landmark studies and issued policy briefs to inform the world of the looming danger if measures are not taken to arrest the problems of food and related issues.”
John A. Kufuor, former president of Ghana, founder of the John Kufuor Foundation and Co-Chair of the Global Panel.