A new report from the Ghana Statistical Service has revealed that about three million people in Ghana remain vulnerable to food insecurity, even though national food consumption levels appear broadly stable.
The findings are contained in the Mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) Food Insecurity Vulnerability Report for October to December 2025, launched in Accra on April 22.
Presenting the report, Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu said around 91% of households—representing nearly 30 million people—recorded acceptable food consumption levels. However, he warned that this national average hides significant pockets of vulnerability.
“Beneath this national average, about three million people remain vulnerable, facing poor or borderline food consumption,” he said.
The survey, conducted with the World Food Programme and supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency, covered about 9,000 households across all 16 regions.
Dr Iddrisu noted that many households are increasingly relying on coping strategies to survive, including reducing meal quality, borrowing money, selling assets, and cutting spending on health and education.
“About one in three households is adopting medium to high coping strategies, while nearly one in four is already in crisis or emergency coping,” he said. “This is not sustainable; many are sacrificing their future to survive today.”
The report highlights strong regional disparities, with the northern regions—Northern, North East, Upper East and Upper West—recording the highest levels of vulnerability. Nearly 40% of households in these areas reported poor or borderline food consumption.
It also found that education and income sources significantly influence food security. Households without formal education are up to ten times more likely to be food insecure than those with tertiary education, while those relying on smallholder farming face about six times higher risk compared to households engaged in trading or savings-based livelihoods.
Despite these challenges, only 1.5% of households reported receiving any form of assistance, raising concerns about the effectiveness of social protection systems.
Dr Iddrisu called for better targeting of interventions, especially in high-risk regions and among vulnerable groups.
“If we wait until consumption collapses, we are already late,” he warned.
Chairing the launch, former Government Statistician Dr Philomena Efua Nyarko stressed the importance of data-driven policymaking, noting that apparent stability can mask deeper household struggles.
“Many households that appear stable remain vulnerable, often relying on coping strategies to maintain that stability,” she said.
While the report does not describe a nationwide crisis, it warns that growing vulnerability requires urgent and targeted policy action.
Dr Iddrisu concluded that food security goes beyond immediate consumption, calling for sustained efforts to protect livelihoods and future resilience.
“Food security is about protecting livelihoods, preserving dignity and securing the future of this country,” he said.
