Former President launches a Strategic Review to end hunger in Ghana by 2030

On 24 January 2017, former President John Agyekum Kufuor launched the Ghana “Zero Hunger” Strategic Review process. The review, which is led by Kufour, seeks to contribute to the Government’s effort to accelerate the work towards eliminating hunger and food insecurity by 2030, whilst improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.

February 7, 2017 - Last update: February 10, 2023

On 24 January 2017, former President John Agyekum Kufuor launched the Ghana “Zero Hunger” Strategic Review. The review, which is led by Kufour, seeks to contribute to the Government’s effort to accelerate the work towards eliminating hunger and food insecurity by 2030, whilst improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.

In his speech, he noted that in a recent study of hunger in Ghana, it was estimated that in 2012 alone, hunger cost an estimated six per cent of the country’s GDP amounting to GH¢4.6 billion. UN Ghana Resident Coordinator, Christine Evans-Klock, urged global leaders to ensure that all children have sufficient and nutritious food all year round.

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.”

John Agyekum Kufuor, Former President, Ghana, founder of the John Kufuor Foundation and co-chair of the Global Panel on Food Security and Nutrition.

Members of the advisory board for the “Ghana Zero Hunger Strategic Review” include, former President John Agyekum 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 review process is expected to help the Government of Ghana and donor agencies in determining what is needed to be done to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG) which is ‘Zero Hunger’ and other SDGs by 2030. A number of other countries particularly in Africa are also engaged in their respective national strategic review with support from the World Food Programme towards the achievement of zero hunger by 2030.

The Board is expected to review and approve the final report which is to be released in May this year while the Technical Team will provide analytical and other support to the review process.