We must all be concerned about the fact that food prices are increasing over the world.  Reports from credible sources indicate annual food price increases around the world up to 40 percent. There have been significant increases in prices of foods including corn, rice, milk, wheat and meat with some of the prices doubling. In Ghana, reports from some local markets also indicate rising prices of local foodstuffs including yam, rice and even some vegetables. It is obvious that if not improved, the rising prices can precipitate starvation in several parts of the world, especially among countries which depend much on imported foods for their survival.

This is in view of the fact that exporting countries are likely to reserve their produce for use in their countries to ensure food security. The rising food prices have been blamed on factors such as changes in the global economy, world population, fuel prices, dietary patterns, and climate. The possible repercussions of the current world food situation on food security, and by implication on our health and survival, must not be overlooked, as the consequences can be grave. Already there are about 200m people in Africa who are malnourished and many more around the world who cannot meet their food and nutrition needs.

This alone can have dire consequences on the economic, education and health profiles of deprived countries. This alarming situation also has the potential to induce conflicts in areas severely deprived of food; in fact conflicts and hunger have been shown to exhibit a vicious cycle in which one can lead to the other, and vice versa. 

The rising food prices pose a big challenge to the global community, especially on considering the fact that the most recent World Food Day celebration was on the theme, “the right to food.” The implication of the current situation is that much work is left to be done to ensure the right to food as a fundamental human right, particularly among the poor and vulnerable. The situation should prompt us to aim at achieving self sufficiency as a country. In the area of food security we must endeavour to stop depending on imported foods and also on foreign support for our basic needs.

This is crucial because international supports may not always be available. Available information shows that the World Food Programme needs some extra US$ 500 million in addition to their original budget, to be able to achieve their target of feeding about 73 million people in over 70 countries this year. As a country we have the responsibility of feeding ourselves. Structures must therefore be put in place to ensure that we do not become victims of such undesirable circumstances.  Having been endowed with fertile land for agriculture, we must be able to meet our food and nutrition needs, and make provisions for emergencies. 

This will require the commitment of government to ensure good agriculture, food and nutrition policies, as well as the contribution of individuals to the promotion of agriculture in the country. Subsistence agriculture and commercial farming must be strongly encouraged to boost our agricultural yield. Efforts to promote mechanised agriculture must also be strengthened.

Another possible option for consideration is the use of biotechnology which has been found to be useful in improving agricultural yield and nutritional quality of foods. We must also minimize food loss through effective post-harvest food management, and proper food preservation techniques. No efforts should be spare make the right to food a reality in Ghana, and the world at large.

By: Seth Mensah Armah