ActionAid Ghana, a global Justice Federation has called on the government to address the ever-increasing food prices in the country.
It says the rising price of food has a disproportional impact on people living in poverty, particularly women and children.
A statement issued and signed by Country Director, ActionAid John Nkaw, said the government must take policy measures to subsidize food accessibility to low-income people as well.
“Government must also increase social protection safety nets and other measures to improve the income of people in urban and rural areas to cope with the increasing food prices and invest in building national food reserves to act as buffers and reduce vulnerability to food shortages and price rises.”
In the medium term, he said that government needs to accelerate climate justice as a continental and international priority – as climate change is expected to drive 122 million more people into poverty by 2030.
He commended the government’s support on the statement issued by the AU on reported blocks on African citizens trying to cross the Ukraine border:
“This unacceptable treatment is shockingly racist and in breach of international law. We also applaud the AU for choosing “Strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security on the Africa continent” to mark the 2022 Africa Day.
The theme is significant in addressing malnutrition and improving food security across the continent. ”
Mr. Nkaw said African leaders must stand in solidarity with the poor, of the ever-increasing in food prices that have already reached record highs since the beginning of the Ukraine war.
Adding that, “the war in Ukraine is seriously disrupting the food supply chain since African countries are major trading partners with Russia and Ukraine for supplies of wheat, edible oil and fertilizer.”
He revealed that half of the grains distributed by the World Food Progamme (WFP) through its food support programmes come from Ukraine and Russia.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey