The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) convened the inaugural meeting of the Food Systems Transformation and Nutrition Security (FSTNS) Cross-Sectoral Planning Group (CSPG) January 29, 2025 in Accra, marking a pivotal step in addressing the pressing challenges of food systems and nutrition security in Ghana.
In his opening remarks, delivered on behalf of NDPC’s Director-General Dr. Eric Akobeng, Dr. Yobo Director of the Development Policy Division acknowledged the progress made in recent years to reduce malnutrition but emphasized that substantial challenges remain. "These hurdles require a multi-sectoral approach and the active engagement of all stakeholders," he asserted.
He underscored the significance of the CSPG, stating that food and nutrition security is not merely a sectoral issue but a national development priority. He urged participants to foster strengthened partnerships and innovative solutions to combat ongoing challenges, including malnutrition, food inflation, post-harvest losses, and climate-induced vulnerabilities.
Dr. Yobo reminded attendees of their collective responsibility, stating, “By coming together today, we reaffirm our shared duty to address malnutrition, strengthen food systems, and ensure no Ghanaian is left behind in the quest for food and nutrition security.” He encouraged participants to actively engage and share their expertise throughout the proceedings.
The meeting served as a platform to explore strategies for integrating food systems transformation into local and national development plans, assess Ghana’s progress under the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, and prepare for the upcoming global Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit. Stakeholders engaged in fruitful discussions, exchanging ideas and reviewing progress to identify practical steps for fostering partnerships and leveraging innovative solutions to combat malnutrition and food insecurity.
As Ghana moves forward with the CSPG initiative, the commitment to collaboration and strategic action promises to enhance the country’s food systems and nutrition security, ultimately benefiting all Ghanaians.