While Ghana has recorded a slight national decrease in severe food insecurity, from 5.1% in the second quarter of 2025 to 4.6% in the third quarter, the latest data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reveals a troubling surge in the number of citizens facing compound vulnerabilities.
According to the GSS, 227,519 Ghanaians were found to be simultaneously food insecure, multidimensionally poor, and unemployed in Q3 2025. This marks an increase of 19,455 people compared to the previous quarter, reflecting a 9.4% rise in just three months. The number of those classified as only food insecure also hit a high of over 4 million in Q2, underscoring the persistent challenge of ensuring consistent food access across the country.
The report draws attention to enduring gender and geographic disparities. Among rural female-headed households, severe food insecurity peaked at 8.1%, highlighting the disproportionate impact on women living in rural communities.
These trends come as Ghana intensifies its push towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the target to achieve Zero Hunger. Despite improvements in macroeconomic indicators, the benefits are being unevenly distributed, leaving many at risk of falling through the cracks.
Analysts caution that unless targeted policy interventions are implemented, the rising number of households experiencing overlapping vulnerabilities could threaten national gains in food security, poverty alleviation, and decent work.
At a press briefing in Accra, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu urged policymakers to rethink one-size-fits-all approaches and prioritize tailored solutions for high-burden regions. “Target high-burden regions with tailored food security, agricultural, and market-access solutions instead of one-size-fits-all approaches,” he advised, emphasizing the urgent need for more focused and responsive interventions.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
