GROWING HUNGER, FAILING GOVERNANCE: HOW THE NDC IS LETTING GHANA GO HUNGRY (12.5 MILLION FOOD-INSECURE), NO REAL PLAN
Food insecurity trends out of Ghana’s own Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) data paint a stark and worsening picture under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration. As of the third quarter of 2025 (Q3 2025), an estimated 12.5 million Ghanaians, roughly 38.1% of the population are food insecure, struggling to access sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
The data confirm what millions of Ghanaian families already feel at the market and at the dinner table: hunger is not easing fast enough, and the cost of inaction is real. During this time, the national food insecurity rate peaked at 41.1%, a figure that should demand immediate and urgent policy response.
Underlying the headline numbers are deeper and even more concerning trends: persistent gender and regional disparities in food access. Female-headed households, for example, face higher levels of food insecurity than male-headed ones, with data showing rates around 44.1% at peak periods. Meanwhile, regions such as Upper West, Volta, and North East record the highest prevalence, far above the national average, suggesting that hunger is disproportionately burdening certain parts of Ghana.
These are not abstract statistics; they represent millions of people unable to secure basic nutrition. They also expose policy failure at the highest level. Having seen food insecurity climb sharply from 2025 into 2026, and with the numbers still well above the already painful baseline, the NDC’s lack of coherent, effective strategies to reverse this trend reflects a deep misunderstanding of governance and national priorities.
It is possible to build resilient food systems, strengthen agricultural production, and ensure that growth reaches households, but it requires strategic leadership, targeted interventions, and real investment in farmers and rural infrastructure.
In contrast, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has a history of prioritising agriculture, expanding market access, championing digitised extension services, and engaging in evidence-driven planning. Ghana can do better and must. The current trajectory under the NDC is not just concerning; it is unacceptable.
Ghana deserves effective governance that ensures food security for all citizens. The time for decisive action is now.
By: Blessing Mantey
