Ghana’s food insecurity situation has deepened significantly, with the latest data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) showing that 38.1 % of the population remains food insecure, meaning over 12.5 million people face ongoing challenges in accessing adequate and nutritious food. The figure represents a slight improvement from an earlier peak but underscores persistent vulnerability across the country.
The findings were detailed in the Quarterly Food Insecurity Report covering the period from the first quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025. The report shows that the prevalence of food insecurity rose from 35.3 % in early 2024 to a peak of 41.1 % in the second quarter of 2025, before easing to 38.1 % in the third quarter.
Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu explained that while the recent marginal decline offers a glimmer of relief, the overall upward trend since 2024 reflects growing vulnerability among Ghanaian households, influenced by economic conditions, seasonal factors and structural inequalities.
The report also highlights stark disparities in food access:
- Female-headed households consistently experienced higher levels of food insecurity than male-headed households, with significant gaps linked to income and caregiving responsibilities.
- Rural communities bore a heavier burden compared with urban areas, reporting elevated levels of stress around food availability and consumption.
- Regional variation was pronounced, with the Upper West, North East and Volta regions among those with the highest prevalence, while areas like Oti recorded lower rates.
The GSS uses the internationally recognised Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), which evaluates experiences from worrying about food supply to reduced consumption and disrupted eating patterns over a three-month period.
Dr Iddrisu cautioned that food insecurity is not just a welfare or nutrition issue, but one that affects household wellbeing, child health, labour productivity and national development. He called for sustained, data-driven and targeted interventions to protect vulnerable populations and reverse the trend.
World Bank-backed agriculture compact to address food glut and strengthen food security