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Overview
WFP and its partners expanded their scope of operations in Ghana to meet the emerging needs of a food system strained by numerous external and internal challenges, including climate change, regional conflicts and food price hikes.
In 2023, WFP provided direct cash assistance to 36,000 people in need and indirectly impacted more than 200,000 others by enabling the Government of Ghana to bolster its institutional capacities to support food systems, nutrition, and social protection. WFP aimed to drive positive change and improve decision-making through social and behavioural change communications on the promotion of healthy eating habits and treatment of malnutrition. Women were also prioritised for cash assistance as WFP recognised their significant ability to amplify the impact of cash transfers within communities. Targeting women directly was considered more effective in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition.
Therefore, 60 percent of people directly supported with cash were women, while 8 percent were persons with disabilities.
In close collaboration with the Ghanaian Government and private sector, WFP supported the revitalisation of the National Food Fortification Alliance. WFP was involved in advocating for the establishment of food fortification standards and promoting the consumption of fortified foods across the country, with a particular focus on Ghana’s School Feeding Programme. As part of the stunting prevention programme - which included food vouchers as part of livelihood support and social behavioural change solutions - WFP supported 5,000 vulnerable pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls. Hundred-fifty Village Savings and Loans Association groups were also established with a mandate to train people on digital financial inclusion. Despite notable progress in these areas, a key challenge was ensuring that nutritious foods were available, especially in remote communities.
Throughout the year, rising food costs significantly impacted people’s lives. This was evident in the strategies adopted by households surveyed by WFP. There was a noticeable increase in the use of food-based coping strategies. These included measures such as reducing the number of daily meals or choosing more affordable and readily available food options. These changes in behaviour clearly illustrate the extent to which elevated food costs have affected people.
Considering extant challenges, WFP’s efforts to support the Government in building efficient, inclusive, and resilient food systems were exemplified through the provision of technical support, specialised processing equipment, and training to women and community-based food processors. Furthermore, WFP enhanced the capacities of local and national institutions to manage food security, nutrition, and social protection programmes by collaborating with various ministries and agencies to digitise the joint monitoring of schools implementing feeding programmes and their extended communities. Additional efforts were extended to a shock-responsive social protection initiative that supported the Government in reviewing social protection policies and strategies. South-South and Triangular Cooperation initiatives with officials from China and Ghana also played a pivotal role in enhancing the Ghanaian Government’s capacities to upgrade agricultural value chains.
In 2023, WFP effectively used cash transfers in Ghana to protect food systems that were threatened by various shocks and stressors. WFP scaled up its crisis response programme with support from its newest donor partner, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to build resilience and preserve agricultural productivity of 17,000 smallholder farmers with USD 5 million in cash transfers via mobile money. In response to the Gulf of Guinea crisis, WFP provided cash transfers to households in host communities experiencing heightened difficulties due to the influx of asylum seekers. This intervention targeted vulnerable host communities in the Upper East and Upper West regions, catering to the needs of 1,159 households (5,795 people), with monitoring efforts revealing improvements in food consumption scores. Unfortunately, assistance to asylum seekers living among host communities was temporarily withheld at the Government's request pending registration and settlement at a designated location in Tarikom.
Findings from a multifunctional feasibility assessment within host communities that accommodated Burkinabe asylum seekers led to the reopening of the WFP sub-office in Bolgatanga. This ensured a physical presence and prompt delivery of assistance to affected communities. WFP has significantly increased staff, from 50 in 2021 to almost 100 in 2023, in line with increased activities in Ghana. This enhanced the agility of WFP’s operational, leadership and administrative processes to meet programme needs.
As a result of the Akosombo Dam spillage, 35,000 people lost their homes, farms and livelihoods. A coordinated response was facilitated through the Interagency Working Group for Emergencies, which WFP co-chaired with the Government’s National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO). This included a rapid needs assessment and the provision of various relief items, such as shelter, food, water and cash transfers through mobile money. A total of 1,094 affected households, equivalent to 5,470 people, received support.
In support of gender equality and women's empowerment, WFP collaborated with partners to strengthen the capacities of Ghanaian women in agribusiness, while consulting widely to develop strategies for boosting young women’s employment in the agricultural sector.
Environmental sustainability initiatives were integrated into WFP's operations in Ghana, with a focus on sustainable farming practices and climate-smart agricultural techniques. Capacity-building initiatives were undertaken to boost understanding and prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation, and other forms of harassment and mistreatment of people in need. Initiatives were also implemented to curb fraud and corruption.
WFP also engaged in extensive consultations ahead of the launch of its innovative Digital Loyalty Platform, which will offer rewards to registered Ghanaians who make healthy lifestyle choices.